Schools are currently due to reopen on January 11, but the Teachers Union of Ireland is recommending they remain closed until January 18.

It says the very significant increase in positive cases of COVID-19 is cause for justifiable alarm and a further delay is needed.

TUI president Martin Marjoram says the union is asking the government to make a decision on the issue now to allow schools to make provisions for remote learning during this extra week.

He was joined on The Last Word by ASTI president Ann Piggott and parenting columnist Jen Hogan, who outlined their concerns.