The new Minister for Education says she is "very keen" to reopen schools at the end of August or start of September. Newly-elected TD Norma Foley from Kerry was appointed to the role yesterday.
She said that one of the particular challenges facing her in this job is reopening schools amid Covid-19. "I'm very keen that would happen.
But I'm very keen that would happen as a consequence of engagement with all stakeholders and also acting on the very best public health advice available to us", she said.
Ms Foley said that as a teacher herself, she "values the expertise and talent" of teachers, SNAs, principals and deputy principals. "I see them as very valuable", she said, adding "but equally so I see the parents as valuable and important