Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, I must go the Chamber to speak on the national development plan later on. I will stay here as long as I can but I must go when the debate starts. I thank those who have presented so far and look forward to hearing from the rest. I know those who have already spoken have said that there is no doubt that there is a crisis. I think Mr. Mulconry used the word "crisis" and also referred to the fact that the Teaching Council carried out the survey. Perhaps Mr. Ó Ruairc would outline the extent of the crisis and how it manifests itself from the survey carried out by the Teaching Council. It is important that we have a full picture of what is happening. Clearly, as Senator Ruane just said, there are shorter-term and longer-term issues, the longer-term issues being pay equalisation, trying to attract teachers who have gone abroad and increasing supply through training. With regard to shorter-term issues, I was also interested to hear a bit more about the supply teaching panels. It would seem to be a fairly straightforward thing to do, so perhaps somebody could expand on what needs to be done there.

I spoke to a primary school principal this morning who told me she made 46 phone calls because a teacher had rung in to say she was sick and could not come in. Ms O'Connor made the point that the short-term filling of posts in particular is a real difficulty. The principal later texted me to say that she still has not got somebody for tomorrow because that teacher will be out again tomorrow, so that illustrates the seriousness of the issue.

In respect of subjects in post-primary education and the specific subjects where the witnesses have told us shortages exist, can this committee do anything in that regard, for example, with regard to those who educate people in languages, home economics, etc.? I think there is only one college for home economics. Can this committee make specific recommendations about increasing numbers of people in those colleges?