The government must provide a clear and comprehensive roadmap for schools to open and ensure that they can stay open, Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.

Education Minister Norma Foley was due to bring a memo to Cabinet on Monday outlining plans and funding for schools to re-open next month.

Mr Ó Murchú said: ‘Schools have been closed now for over four months, and in that time two Ministers for Education have repeatedly promised a comprehensive roadmap for the reopening of schools that seems to be only materialising now.

‘We are now just a month away from when one million children are supposed to return to school.

‘The lack of clarity over the last few weeks is causing real concern, worry and anxiety.

‘We know that more teachers will be needed. We know that more money will be needed. We know that we will need to see increased investment in cleaning and hygiene measures. We know that children will need to get buses and we know that there are other children with additional needs that will need to be catered for.

‘Parents, students, teachers, support staff and transport operators are, right now, completely in the dark as to what is happening to ensure all of these needs are met.

‘This plan needs to be comprehensive and definitive, and it needs to answer all of the questions that all stakeholders need answered. The timing of this plan has been cut very fine as it is. The uncertainty has gone on far too long already. It cannot go on any longer.’