The increasing number of isolating staff and lack of substitute teachers could force some schools to close in the coming days...
That's the warning from a Cork secondary school principal as schools across the country reopen this morning following the Christmas break.
Teaching unions say many schools are already down to half their staff and are finding it very difficult to find temporary replacements.
Education Minister Norma Foley admits many schools will find it challenging to operate as usual and is calling for pupils with additional needs to be prioritised for in-person teaching.
Speaking to RedFM News, principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís Aaron Wolfe says the Department should have opted for online teaching instead of reopening:
