Ms Mary Magner:

I thank the Deputy for his understanding of what it is like on the ground. He obviously has a clear insight into the challenges that face us in primary schools. There is no doubt that it has been a very trying summer for school leaders and school principals. We welcome the Deputy's comments.

We had concerns in respect of Medmark, the online health service, and, as the general secretary has already alluded to, the bar was set high for our very high-risk teaching colleagues. We wrote to the Minister and the Taoiseach in that regard to get a review process for Medmark. Thankfully, that is in place and teachers can appeal the decision of Medmark. They can submit their doctor's opinion and consultants' reports and seek a fast review. We do not have figures in respect of the review process because, as has been outlined already, it came out a bit late, towards the start of the school year. We await the outcome. It is absolutely imperative that the health of very high-risk teachers is not put in jeopardy by having to attend school.