"The loss if we don't have our children back in school in my mind is much larger than any other measure."
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan expects that schools, creches, and colleges will open as normal despite potential staff shortages due to Covid-19.
The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications made the comments while on
This Week on RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday (3 January).
"I expect, firstly, our schools, creches and colleges to open," he said.
"Schools to open next week, colleges to open later and childcare.
"I think it's really important. The public benefit of that... the loss if we don't have our children back in school in my mind is much larger than any other measure," he added.
When pressed on how schools and creches would deal with potential staff shortages due to teachers self-isolating following a positive Covid test, Ryan stated that schools would deal with it "the same way they've managed right through this".
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"I think what we should do and will do is look at the likes of the measures that the US have introduced.
"Their Centre for Disease Control, recognising that that is an issue, have adapted some of their measures around close contacts.
"I think what we want to do is to look at what the international evidence is and what evidence they call on to see could similar measures help here.
"But first and foremost when it comes to schools, and I think it's important that schools do open on Thursday (6 January).
"Each school will have different circumstances, it'll be more difficult for primary rather than secondary because it's more difficult, particularly for a smaller school, to get a relief teacher in.
"But I think what our schools have done very well is manage through Covid.
"I don't think the solution should be shutting down schools," he concluded.
Ryan expects that some schools may have to close due to staff shortages, but once again emphasised his confidence that schools will be able to accomodate.
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