The Secretary General of the Department of Education has told the Covid-19 Oireachtas Committee that reopening schools as fully, normally and as safely as possible is the Department of Education's number one priority.
Seán Ó Foghlú said the department hoped to have guidance issued to schools by the end of the month. He said it was a challenging and complex process, and that intense engagement with those involved in running schools was ongoing.
Mr Ó Foghlú said the aim was to both open schools and to ensure that they remained open. Among logistical challenges in terms of physical distancing arrangements were school transport and enhancing cleaning and hygiene routines, he said.