Teachers will today table a motion demanding that they be prioritised in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out.
As teachers return to school after their Easter break next Monday, the three teacher unions will meet as part of their annual conferences.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland have agreed on a joint wording that will be discussed with delegates at their virtual annual conferences this morning.
If no resolution is found, teachers are set to explore ways of venting their frustration including industrial action if necessary.
Minister for Education Norma Foley is due to address TUI delegates at their meeting later today.
She has defended the Government’s decision to change the vaccine roll-out schedule from an occupation-based one to one led by age.
She stressed that it was “not a value judgement on any given profession”.
She told INTO delegates that the recommendation was driven by the fact that national and international evidence now confirms that age is the “strongest predictor” of whether a person who contracts Covid-19 will be admitted to hospital or ICU or die as a result of their infection.
INTO General Secretary John Boyle, who is from Annagry in West Donegal, said the decision showed a blatant disregard for teachers’ safety.
He said teachers should be reinstated as a high-priority group to be vaccinated to ensure that schools can remain open safely.
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