Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is encouraging that the Minister is looking at it at the very least but, as I said, that is one school, the first I rang today. There are seven schools in which I used to teach and I guarantee the picture would be very similar in each. There are 10% of teachers absent due to Covid in one particular school. There were also many other absences. When the answer is within the four walls of the staff room, we need to get on with it and make that decision. I appreciate the Minister looking at it. I imagine that, as we go further into the year, the call and clamour for it will grow.

I have a parting comment, rather than a question, on the Cork Life Centre. I fully acknowledge the difficulty of the task because there are so many of these institutions and centres throughout the country and, if we are honest about it, they are all different. However, the Minister knows why the situation in the centre is so pressing. I do not want to raise it here but there is an issue and time is pertinent. As I have said, I hope it can be done as expeditiously as possible.