Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Department of the Minister, Deputy Foley, a question. I received the answer this morning and I was alarmed by it. The question was whether the Department of Education would give some guarantee to schools that they will be provided with CO2 monitors before they return in August. Wait until I give the Taoiseach the figures, which are quite startling. I have been told a number of portable monitors will be distributed to schools in August and September. Between two and 20 will be provided at primary level. We have more than 3,200 primary schools. Between 20 and 35 will be provided at post-primary level. We have more than 725 of these schools. This is an appalling reaction to a situation where we do not know where the pandemic is going. We do not, cannot and perhaps should not vaccinate children. We are certainly putting hundreds of teachers who are at high risk at further risk. A friend of mine was forced back to teach in a secondary school by Medmark although she was at high risk. She is now suffering very badly with long Covid. Will the Taoiseach please explain to me the appalling response of the Department-----

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