There is a situation at the moment is south Louth and east Meath where up to 5,000 pupils and 260 teachers are without access to a teacher supply panel. The Department of Education sent out a directive to the effect that special education teachers should step in where no substitute teacher is available. That is totally unacceptable because it disadvantages further special educational needs children. Why should they lose their resources because of the Department's shortcomings? Principals in my constituency have said that children will have to stay home if this matter is not addressed as a matter of urgency.

I contacted the Minister for Education more than two weeks ago. I got nothing back and there has been silence. Given that the Government said it is a priority to keep schools open and given the urgency of this, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to ensure a teacher supply panel is set up immediately for the south Louth and east Meath area?

I will engage with the Minister for Education and talk to her on this specific issue. I do not have the details before me.

The Government has made it an absolute priority to keep schools open. It is not only a Government issue; it is a societal issue and priority. It reflects well on Ireland that in the middle of a global pandemic we accept that the learning opportunities for children are our number one priority. This has posed challenges, not least on the supply side. We knew that in advance of September. That is why significant resources were made available by the Minister for Education to deal with the different challenges that emerged. We must do everything we possibly can to ensure children are not disadvantaged and that they do not fall victim to this virus in any meaningful way.