Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I need to go to speak in the Seanad Chamber. I have a few questions, including one for Mr. Ó hAiniféin, which I might ask now because I might not be here when he makes his presentation.

We acknowledge the problems related to shortages, substitutes etc. However, 5,000 full-time jobs have been created in the past two years. Is this adding to the problem in that people are in permanent jobs? Does that mean they are not available for substitute teaching? I am involved in a school and we found that some people we approached to come as substitutes had been offered jobs. I believe there has been an increase of approximately 8,900 in permanent jobs since 2012.

I was on the ETB in Limerick with Mr. Ó hAiniféin and I know has a great interest in Irish. On the expansion of Irish, how can we encourage Irish to be taught in the schools? I ask him to comment on the standard of Irish teaching. I will pick up the reply later. I apologise that I have to go.