Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses and thank those who have made a contribution. Mr. Mulconry cut straight to the chase, if he does not mind me saying that. The word "crisis" has jumped out at me from all contributions. It is disappointing it has got to this point. When did the red light start flashing on this issue? How long have the witnesses been knocking on the Department's door highlighting there was a problem coming down the track?

It is especially sickening and sad that, as someone mentioned in the contributions, it is our children, and our most vulnerable children at that, who are losing out. That is unforgivable of the Department. It is not fair on the teachers and all those who work in the school environment either. Mr. Ó Ruairc mentioned the idea of a working group or forum to look into this issue. We have a problem here and we need a two track approach to try to solve that problem. One is a forum to look at the entire teaching profession, where it is or is not going and all the issues surrounding that in respect of recruitment, retention, pay and conditions, early retirement etc. The other approach needs immediate action, not tomorrow or next week but today. I would like to know what three issues the witnesses would like the Minister to address immediately.

Have we any data on how many teachers are working aboard? I know many people are going out to Dubai and other locations. I spoke to a father yesterday who told me his daughter has been out there the past two years. She is now looking to stay a third year. Her week starts on a Sunday and finishes on a Friday. Her accommodation is paid, all utility bills are paid, she gets great holidays and all of her salary is tax free. If she does additional courses, she gets additional remuneration for that. That is what we are competing with. Have we any data in respect of how many teachers are out there and are there any ideas about what package we could put together to attract those people back? I will have other questions but I will wait for the contributions of the front row.