At the Oireachtas #covid19 Committee, Michael Gillespie of the Teachers Union of Ireland says 'we will not put students, their families or our teachers at risk'.
Both ASTI and TUI have asked for fast-track testing for the school sector.
"Why was there no recommendation to put perspex screens at teachers' desks? Why is there no guidance on assemblies of students and staff at school?"
ASTI: "It is unconscionable" that teachers with chronic kidney disease, cancer and serious heart disease have been asked to teach large groups of students.
"It is regrettable that those making the decisions on these matters are refusing to meet representatives of those affected..."
ASTI also expresses deep concerns about lack of access to broadband and IT learning services in event of need for home-learning.
Kieran Christie calls on Dept of Education to bulk buy laptops to prevent '3 or 4 siblings' working from the same device.
Andy Pike of Forsa union is here for non-teaching staff, particularly those with underlying health conditions:
"Staff such as SNAs and bus escorts are not able to practice social-distancing... not all of their students can or will wear face coverings."
Pike: Staff reporting that schools have refused to buy equipment or they have been advised to re-use face coverings... Many staff, he says, are operating without adequate PPE.
Pike says some schools simply do not have adequate isolation facilities for children with symptoms.
He says in one example - the isolation facility was part of the school secretary’s office separated by a Perspex screen hanging from the ceiling...
ASTI says the big concern in "early days" is the ability to social distance.
He says in older schools there is a particular problem with narrow corridors and smaller classrooms.
ASTI says it's "bizarre" that in one example, 84 pupils and staff were in a school example when that's one or two more than the number that gathered in Clifden (at #golfgate).
Mary Magner of the INTO says it's a problem in Dublin and urban areas to get substitute teachers.
That will be a problem if extra staff are needed.
Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh says it's a "shocking statement" that staff are going into schools without adequate PPE.
"Have we learned nothing from the nursing home saga?" she asks
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