Leo Varadkar officially told Fine Gael TDs and Senators last night that schools might not reopen until May.
If this is late May, this would wreak havoc with the State examinations programme scheduled for early June.
Fine Gael party chairman, Martin Heydon, speaking after the FG Parliamentary Party meeting, said the Taoiseach and FG leader told the meeting: “The restrictions on schools opening could be extended into April or May.”
Sinn Féin’s education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said he believes it is necessary to follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan.
He said: “When the school closures was announced I think a lot of people, including many parents and teachers felt it was unlikely they would return before the Easter holidays.
“It’s apparent that the current situation could last for a lengthy period.
“Across the world where school closures are happening at this point in time it’s certainly anticipated for a lengthy number of weeks.”
Deputy Ó Laoghaire stressed it is a significant step to close schools but he believes it is not a decision that would be taken lightly.
He added: “I think we need to continuously evaluate it on the basis of the best public health advice, the advice from the Chief Medical Officer [Dr Tony Holohan] and his team.
“If it is necessary to keep the schools closed then that is what should happen.
“If that it what is necessary to ensure that Covid-19 is limited in its transmission then that needs to happen and we would support that.
“Obviously, it’s a very extreme situation, something that nobody wants but I think something that the public generally recognise may be necessary.
“So, whenever it is possible to open the schools that will be welcome but they should not be reopened until such time as we know it’s safe."
