Schools using a recalled hand sanitiser have been given the option to close today.
It's after the Department of Agriculture revoked a hand sanitiser, widely used in schools, due to possible public health concerns.
The ViraPro product was recalled, as prolonged use may cause dermatitis, eye irritation, respiratory issues and headaches.
Several companies are offering to donate replacement hand sanitisers to allow schools remain open.
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has questions over when the Department of Education found out.
"There have been some reports saying the Department of Agriculture knew about this issue on Tuesday.
"How it is only coming out on Thursday night?"
"I don't understand."
Deputy Ó Laoghaire described the issue as "enormously disruptive."
"I know it would cause upset because its the last day of school before midterm and a lot of children are dressing up"
"Aside from that the communication to school really isn't good enough," he added.
Last night during the Dáil sitting, I tried to get the Minister for Education to reassure parents and school staff about ViraPro sanitiser. It is incredible that this was announced so late. Schools have been left in an impossible situation. @sinnfeinireland pic.twitter.com/uQXFBycI0r
— Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (@Donnchadhol) October 23, 2020
One Dublin School Has Decided To Close
St Pat's Boys National School Drumcondra is among the schools that used the ViraPro sanitizer.
Natasha Bassett, Principal of St Pat's Boys feels closing was the right decision, but didn't get to tell parents until midnight:
"We received very, very late notification last night."
Ms Bassett said she weighed up all their options but "had to go with the one that guarantees safety."
A mother of someone who goes to school which was using Virapro hand sanitiser has told @PatKennyNT that she noticed mood changes in her child, and their hands were cracked.
Some schools haven’t opened as this was a Dept of Education approved sanitiser.
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) October 23, 2020
Darndale NS Say They Will Stay Open
Darndale National School in Dublin is another one of the schools affected.
They decided to remain open after making local arrangements for hand sanitiser.
Principal Derry Amphett says ViraPro was the second sanatiser they had to buy.
"Wesourced some and it had alcohol in it and we were told that wasn't appropriate for schools."
"They had a list of alternatives to have instead."
Mr Amphett then had to contact their suppliers "who very generously took back the original supply and replaced it with the new one."
"Now we're being told its unsuitable, even though it was on the original list."
