Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the panel for their comments.

To start with Fr. Connell, he referred to the five-day rule. Has he any suggestions as to how that can be changed or what should be proposed? I understand that the five-day rule is causing a problem for some schools.

We have referred a great deal to the shortage of substitute teachers. The fact that 5,000 full-time posts have been created over the past two years is probably having an impact on substitutes being available.

We referred to the fact that there is a shortage in the STEM subjects. Is there any data to show that there are shortages in any other areas?

We have incentives to encourage students, in primary school and then in secondary, to take an interest in the STEM subjects, for instance, the BT Young Scientist which encourages them to look at the STEM subjects in terms of teaching posts down the road. Is there anything we can do to start to encourage pupils at a young age, as they go up through their education, to be interested in some of the areas where there are shortages?

Some substitute teachers have one or two subjects. On how to add to one's portfolio, is there any way of fast-tracking or shortlisting or are there any subjects that are complementary to one another that we could put together?

Recently the Minister set up the steering group. How are they finding their input in relation to that?

We all support the issue of the different pay scales but my understanding is talks are to start shortly with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, DPER. My understanding is it will be in the next couple of days. The witnesses might comment in that regard.