There are 'serious questions' that need to be answered by the Government before schools reopen in January, a teachers' union has said.
ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie says they want schools to reopen, but they want more clarity around the new strain of the coronavirus before the end of the Christmas break.
They've written to Education Minister Norma Foley asking her to consider the situation 'very carefully' with NPHET over the next few weeks.
Ireland will enter level five again tomorrow, with a range of new restrictions coming into effect over the course of the Christmas period.
As coronavirus cases soar, there are particular concerns around the new and potentially more transmissible strain of the virus detected in England.
While the variant hasn't been detected in Ireland yet, the HSE today said they're working on the 'absolute premise' that the mutant strain is already here.
The Government yesterday said it is planned that schools will reopen in January.
However, some students were sent home with books yesterday in case schools are forced to remain closed in the new year.
Mr Christie told The Pat Kenny Show that recent developments have been a "major concern", despite things having gone "extraordinarily well" in schools since they reopened in August.
With the uncertainty around the nature of the new strain, Mr Christie said it's an 'open question' as to whether children are more susceptible to the new variant than they are to previous strains.
He said: "We've written to the Minister of Education and asked her to consider this very carefully with NPHET prior to the reopening of schools in early January.
"It was a bit disappointing in the last day or two that the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and various other members of government were stating almost in a blasé fashion that schools will remain open.
"We want them to reopen - but we are pointing out today there are serious questions that need to be addressed... before any chances are taken with the health and welfare of teachers, students and school communities."
He said the Christmas break gives officials and experts a chance to look at the situation "very, very carefully" to ensure a return to school is as safe as it was in August.
