Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the point regarding the return to school, in this instance and since we reopened schools in September, we have abided by the advice of public health and NPHET. In this instance, it is their best advice that it should be a cautious and phased return to school, which I confirm again is largely due to the mobility of such a large number of people - 1.1 million. It was for that reason in the first instance schools were stood down. NPHET has confirmed that schools are places of low transmission. With the best will in the world, we would love to have everybody back as quickly as possible. There is a burden of responsibility on all of society to ensure we keep numbers and hospitalisations down. There is very positive news in that direction. People have done a tremendous job and we ask them to stick with that so that we can get children and young people back to school as quickly as possible.

In regard to Tallaght Community School, I will confer with Deputy Duffy as we go forward. I know this is a matter of particular importance to him and that he has raised it on a number of occasions. I can assure him that my officials will be happy to meet with him on the matter going forward.

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