Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has made a fair point. I wish to comment on what Ms Corr said about the special education sector. It is appalling that we have situations, particularly in mainstream schools, where resource teachers or teachers who deal with special education provision are being used for supervision or yard duty. I mean when there is a staffing problem and other teachers are not in school. Without a shadow of a doubt, such people are just seen as an extra resource to be deployed when something goes wrong. I do not blame the school principals for the situation but the culture exists and I believe it is completely wrong.

Mr. Ó Ruairc mentioned teachers from abroad and the fact that 10% of teachers do not speak English as their first language. I want to mention the qualified teachers who live in direct provision. I accept that we have a high standard of teaching in this country, and rightly so. However, it would be feasible to have qualified teachers, who have been trained in other jurisdictions, teaching as substitute teachers as opposed to unqualified teachers doing the same work. I would like to hear the views of the witnesses on the matter. I propose that we commence with Mr. Byrne, Mr. Ó Ruairc and Mr. Mulconry as they were asked specific questions.