Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, meets tomorrow to discuss its advice to Government regarding schools. I want to ask the Taoiseach whether he and his Minister for Education intend to fully consult with workers in the schools, including the teachers, before they make decisions on these issues. Covid is far from a done deal in the schools. In fact, there were 14,390 teachers absent for Covid-related reasons from the schools in the month of January, an increase of 55% on December. Those figures do not include 270 schools run by the education and training boards. Meanwhile, hundreds of student teachers currently on placement are due to finish up this week which will cause a further teacher shortfall. These are key issues for the school communities. Can the Taoiseach tell us the Government's plans with regards to proper and full consultation?

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