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The government is being pressured to make an early decision on whether the schools will reopen as scheduled next Monday.
Education Minister Norma Foley will meet with opposition spokespersons today to discuss the issue, but has insisted that schools will reopen as scheduled on January 11.
There is a growing sense of pessimism in the government about reopening schools as the exponential rise in Covid-19 numbers continues.
Yesterday, the Department of Health reported nearly 5,000 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths.
For now, public health officials have not recommended any longer closures, but some Cabinet members find it increasingly difficult to ensure children return as planned.
Case numbers will be reviewed later this week and a decision is likely to be made on Wednesday or Thursday.
Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said it is now not credible to argue that schools can reopen and called for an early decision. Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats said that call should be taken today.
The Minister of Education will also meet with unions and principals this week.
All of this presents a great decision for the Government, as it had bet heavily on the successful reopening of the schools last September.
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