Parents have giving their reaction to a €375m plan for re-opening schools at the end of August.
It includes funding 1,000 new posts at secondary level.
Some schools may also require structural changes to classrooms to maximise social distancing.
Newstalk's Henry McKean spoke to parents in Co Wexford.
One woman said: "I don't think it's working because there's going to be 32 of them in a class together, and how are they going to separate them, and how are they going to clean?
"This is a national school - there's 32 in her classroom, and I have a young fella in secondary school.
"How are they going to clean all the classes after each class goes into it? That's the problem."
Asked if the schools could be ready in the next five weeks, she said: "No, not a hope in the world".
One man said: "The money's well worth spent, we need to get the schools open".
Another woman said: "My honest view is if people want to work around problems they will.
"I think it's an important thing for kids to get back to school, I think socially they're missing their friends.
"And I think if there's a real hunger among teachers and principals to get it to work they'll make it work".
"I think it's still a difficult problem, but I think many small businesses have overcome it and I think if there's a will there there's definitely a way.
"They may have to make some sacrifices on class sizes and what classes they bring back first, but I do think it can be done if the focus is there".
"I do think the buses are going to be another major area for addressing, but they have come up with suggestions like siblings sitting together, and working in pods as well.
"It probably costs money whether they've to put on extra buses, but the Government has made money available and at least try and use it.
"Let's try it and see how it goes".
What do the parents in Wexford think of the €375m being spent to get kids back to school? @NewstalkFM @SeanMoncrieff from 2pm pic.twitter.com/W5T4BoLJdE
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) July 28, 2020
Another woman said: "I don't really welcome it, like, I don't know how it's going to be done.
"I've a five-year-old and then I've an 11-year-old.
"They were saying from first class up to sixth class they're going to do social distancing, but it should be the same for the younger children as well".
"If the older children are doing it in school, where does that leave the younger children?
"I think if one do it they're all going to have to do it, and it's just absolutely impossible for the younger children".
"Definitely I'm really worried about the kids not being able to go back to school", another parent said.
"I've three children - 10, eight and four - and it's really important that they get back into a routine.
"It's so hard to home school three at once, I don't know how the teachers do it.
"I think the Government is doing the right thing, definitely".
"I just want to see them get back into their routine, they're really missing their friends as well as their education".
Another woman said it is not possible for younger children to social distance, but added: "100% - they need structure, stability, they need to go back - safety but back for sure.
"I've a bunch of kids, I need a break", she added.
"What they need to do is shut the borders, not worry about the pubs and open the schools - the education has to come first".
