Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We must be clear about what is happening here. This is a collaborative approach between Revenue and my Department. The employers of these teachers are the respective boards of management but I have a responsibility as Minister to ensure that we find a solution. The solution will be found, and speed is of the utmost importance. I am conscious that the next round of payment is coming up next week. My assurance to the people who have had wrong amounts deducted from their wages is that the deductions will be paid back to them in full. I have impressed on all my officials, and I have just come from a meeting, the need to ensure we get a solution. I share the Deputy's concern on a number of fronts where people have to pay their day-to-day bills, mortgages or rent. The reality of living costs is foremost in my mind.

I want to be clear that the software used did not take into account substitute teachers. That issue has been rectified but the difficulty is that it has not been rectified for those three payments affecting two cycles for substitute teachers and one cycle for primary substitute teachers. I will ensure that we put all our resources into finding a solution to this issue.

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