Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I have left the payment to individual teachers in place and for the moment suspended the cover for uncertified sick leave and school business.

Prior to 2003, schools managed without any of that provision and this did not impede their capacity to participate, for example, in football and other sports competitions.

I fully accept that was possible through flexibility and goodwill all round. As we manage through this difficult period, I am asking teachers in all schools to co-operate fully with school managers in coping with this change in the interest of their students.

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