Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Piggott. I have a question for Mr. Gillespie. It seems that, at an individual level, coronavirus exposes and attacks underlying conditions, which relates to the previous question. It also does so at a societal level and exposes the very low levels of investment in our education system as a percentage of GDP, the very high pupil-teacher ratios and the lack of space in our schools. The pre-existing underinvestment in education has now been exposed and needs to be resolved.

Mr. Gillespie mentioned a number of schools where appropriate social distancing is not possible or is not taking place. Can he put a number or percentage on that? The point was made earlier about the Perspex screen in front of the Acting Chairperson. There is not necessarily Perspex in front of teachers. There is a basic point, namely, that it is absolutely unconscionable to ask teachers and students to go back to work and school in conditions which are less safe than those in which Deputies and Senators are working.