A Mullingar woman whose daughter uses cochlear implants says she believes the government has taken the easy option of ordering the use of face masks for all school children over 9.
Lorraine Murphy says her 12 year old daughter Anna will find it very difficult to learn and to interact with her classmates without the added visual cues from their facial expressions and lip movements.
Lorraine is involved with the charity Our New Ears which supports families of deaf children who use technology to hear.
She says the charity is very well aware that masks are important, as 40% of deaf children have underlying health conditions.
The group has launched a Think Again appeal asking the government to put more thought into how the disease can be controlled without some students losing out.
