The country is facing “the complete and utter shutdown” of the education system next month unless an immediate solution is found to the school strikes crisis, the Government has been warned.

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner writes that Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin outlined the seriousness of the situation today as they repeatedly warned that coalition action is needed now to address the stand-off.

Speaking during the latest Dáil leaders questions debate, Fianna Fáil public expenditure spokesperson Dara Calleary told Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald the response to the “reasonable” ASTI pay parity request has been a “shambles”.

He said Government is “sleep-walking” on the issue because “for all your talk of negotiations schools are still on strike today” and no pay guarantees have been given to teachers.

However, warning an “even worse” situation is on the horizon, he said “the country is facing the complete and utter shutdown of the education system” within weeks over concerns hundreds of schools may be unable to re-open if the strike continues.

The concern was repeated by Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said 70% of all schools in Ireland were closed today on the first of seven strike days and that “the demands of teachers, and indeed gardaí, are not insurmountable”.

Describing Government as sounding like “a broken down record” on the issue, Ms McDonald said there is no roadmap and that “you seem to have walked us into a cul-de-sac” of a public pay stand-off that will not be resolved.

However, responding to the claims, Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald repeated her view that a “pathway” is available to address the strike which would see teachers who began work after 2011 receive 15-22% pay rises.

“You’re talking about cul-de-sacs. I’m saying there are offers on the table,” she said, adding it “would not be fair” on other public servants and taxpayers for a deal to be struck with one group to the detriment of others.