The Government has hit back at INTO claims that children are being allowed to attend school in unsafe and unacceptable conditions.
The INTO has published a list of 40 "seriously substandard" national schools which, the union says, pose health, fire or safety risks.
The Minister for Education said: "hugely significant progress has been made by this Government in eliminating substandard schools."
The INTO acknowledges "some progress" has been made, but says over half the schools are still infested by vermin, over three-quarters have inadequate toilet facilities and 45 per cent are without an adequate heating system.
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According to the Minister, 31 of the 40 schools on the INTO list have capital projects in the planning stage.
