If a child becomes unwell in class, staff are advised to separate them from other students.
A primary school in Athlone may be forced to use a garden shed as an isolation room.
If a child becomes unwell in class, staff are advised to separate them from other students but many smaller buildings lack spare rooms for this purpose.
Parents and staff at Clonbonny National School say they're unhappy with the support offered by the Department of Education, which has yet to comment on the suitability of a tool shed.
Local Fianna Fail Councillor Frankie Keena says the school was left with no other option:
The Athlone school may need to review its entire layout after re-opening this morning.
The Department of Education says it's in contact with Clonbonny National School, after staff complained their 'isolation room' was a garden shed.
Another principal in nearby Moate this afternoon raised a similar concern.
Schools must have a designated area for children who become unwell - either a separate room, ideally, or an area in class at least two metres from other students.
A statement from the Department of Education doesn't comment on the suitability of a timber shed for this purpose but admits overcrowding issues remain at Clonbonny, with five classroom teachers for 125 pupils.
Meanwhile, a second local school faces the same dilemma.
St Oliver Plunkett Boys School in Moate could have to use a storage cabin as an isolation room when it reopens next week.
Cllr. Keena believes older schools are at a disadvantage:
Midlands Gardaí Appeal For Witnesses To Fatal Crash
Midlands Security & Defence Analyst Says Hoax Bomb Threats Aimed To Intimidate
Almost €446,000 Allocated To Midlands Community Centres And Clubhouses
Midlands Family Takes On Ireland’s Fittest Family Challenge
5K Fundraiser To Support Motor Neurone Disease Association Takes Place In Westmeath
No Slowing Down With Age As Westmeath Bowlers Shine At 14th Annual National Bowls Competition
Woman Appears In Court Over €280k Cannabis Seizure In Midlands