Up to 40% of students are reported to be absent in some schools across the country today.
The number of parents taking children out of school has been described as 'voting with their feet', according to the Labour Party.
It had been expected there would be some level of absenteeism this week, due to families' concerns of the virus spreading.
A number of immunologists recommended last week that schools should not reopen this week for two-and-a-half days, and requested that NPHET discuss the issue last week.
However, there was no advice from NPHET around the closure of schools.
The age group of primary school students (5-11-year-olds) has had the highest incidence of Covid-19 for the past number of weeks.
Labour's Education spokesperson says not enough was done by the Department of Education to reassure parents:
"I am very concerned at the lack of leadership, and lack of communication and miscommunication from the Department of Education. Every issue around Covid management in schools has been mishandled."
Those sentiments were echoed by one school principal in Carlow, who says the Department were too slow to react throughout the pandemic.
Simon Lewis from Carlow Educate together says HEPA filters funding was suggested nearly a year ago, now there's no advice one which ones to get:
"I've got in my inbox this morning about a dozen ads with prices for these things from a couple of hundred euro to a few thousand euro. To be honest, I've no idea where to turn."
The government has always maintained that schools would stay open this week, as well as their desire to reopen in January.
