I want to ask the Tánaiste a question on education. Some smaller schools will lose a teacher this year because of a drop in pupil numbers. Can a moratorium be put on that for 12 months to allow them to meet their requirements in respect of Covid-19? For a school of four teachers to go to three, it will have a significant impact on social distancing within that school. It is common sense that there be a moratorium for 12 months on smaller schools losing a teacher.

I have raised this matter before and I have serious concerns. The pragmatic step to take would be to bring in a moratorium. I raised the issue with the previous Minister with responsibility. It is only fair and right because many additional substitute teachers will be needed. There are schools that are falling only marginally short of the number of pupils required to retain teachers. If they lose that valuable teacher, it will put them in a difficult position. In my constituency, I am aware of one school in Ferbane that is losing a teacher. It is totally unfair. Given that we are in the middle of a pandemic, I ask that we show some common sense and put a moratorium on any teacher losses.

This is an important issue. I understand that a mechanism is in place for small schools that were due to lose a teacher to have that decision appealed or reviewed. I do not know whether there are plans to have a moratorium. As I mentioned earlier, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Foley, will be here to take oral questions next week. The deadline is still open for Deputies to submit questions and I am sure she will be happy to answer them in detail.