Mr. Kieran Christie:

I thank the Senator for her kind words about the tribute to boards of management, principals, teachers and the acknowledgement of the great work that is being done. I am sure they will be well appreciated through the breadth and depth of the country.

The fact is that teachers and other workers in schools are now essential front-line workers. Like Mr. Boyle, we have also called for the flu vaccine to be distributed to school staff. It is unfortunate that has not been the case. Notwithstanding all that great work, the task remains immense in that there is a very tough and difficult job ahead. We are still only in November and we have the bulk of the winter to endure. I mentioned earlier the issue of ventilation and heating in this cold weather. We could have a freeze this year, similar to the one we had some years ago when, as members will recall, schools closed largely for transport reasons. They got over that but this time schools would close because they would be too cold and it will not be possible to keep them open. Considerable thought and effort needs to be put into dealing with classes which may have to be sent home or individual schools that may have to close and the arrangements around that. There is an enormous amount of work still to be done.