In September, the public health doctors were ordered to turn their backs and walk away from the schools. As a result, schools were left on their own with regard to Covid information, hoping that parents would inform them of a confirmed case. Schools were then left with a dilemma as to who to tell and what to tell them without the support of public health.

From next week, antigen tests will be offered to schoolchildren. This is very welcome. It is, again, down to the parents to inform the schools before the new testing regime can be invoked. There is still no backing forthcoming from the public health doctors. My question to the Taoiseach is, why are there no plans to provide public health support to schools in managing this pandemic?

There has been ongoing public health support to schools during the pandemic and the Minister for Education and her Department rely on public health supports. In the context of the antigen system that is being introduced, that is on foot of public health advice. It is the HSE's view that it is the parents who should contact the school in terms of their children who test positive.