Principals concerned about swine-flu staff shortages

Secondary school principals have expressed serious concern about potential staff shortages caused by swine flu during the new school term.

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals is calling for clarification on sick leave entitlements for teachers.

The call comes as the Irish National Teachers Organisation prepares to meet officials from the Department of Education this afternoon to discuss the threat of swine flu.

All schools are expected to open as normal in the next few weeks, but the NAPD says there is still a lot of uncertainty around how suspected cases of the virus among teachers will be dealt with.