One of the country’s leading immunologist is calling for some children to be allowed back to school next month.

Under the Government roadmap, schools are not due to reopen until next September; however recent days have seen some high-profile calls for the plan to be accelerated.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Professor Luke O'Neill said he is “firmly of the view” that some age groups should return to class before the summer.

“It is not an easy question and I have a lot of sympathy for teachers and parents who worry about it,” he said.

“But the fact is many countries have opened their schools, especially for certain age groups, and they can stagger it – a day here and a day there.

 “I am firmly of the view that we should open the schools for the younger age groups because the evidence that’s out there would suggest that they get damaged most by not being in school - because they need that contact with the teacher.

“Then secondly, very importantly, it is the vulnerable you want to worry about. There are many kids not getting home schooling for whatever reason and they need to be looked after as well.”

He said there is “definitely a case to be made” for some classes to return for the coming month.

“Just sixth class alone maybe and then maybe six and under – that age group seems especially vulnerable to lack of education and that can damage them into the future.

“I think there is a really strong case to be reopening, for those age groups anyway. I am sure the Department of Education are looking at that and I really advocate for it.”

Professor O’Neill was speaking after the World Health Organisation Special Envoy on COVID-19 said the ‘time had come’ to start reopening schools.

Meanwhile, Professor Mary Horgan, President of the Royal College of Physicians, said the evidence suggests a return to school would be low-risk for children.

Professor O’Neill said more research is needed on the two-metre social distancing guideline – and noted that the rule could be different depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors.

Pointing to new research suggesting you are 19-times more likely to get infected in an indoor environment, he said a one-metre rule would probably be fine for the outdoors.

You can listen back to the full conversation here: