Professor Pádraig Ó Duibhir:

-----the two magic questions? Senator Gallagher referred to a salary for substitute teachers. In many jurisdictions - for example, the UK and many other countries - there is a supply panel on which there are a number of teachers for whom substitution is their role for the year. They are contracted to be supply teachers, so if a teacher is out sick or on professional development, a teacher from the supply panel comes in. There were two pilots in Ireland throughout the 2000s but they were ended with the advent of austerity. We and, I think, the unions would suggest that such a model needs to be implemented, although perhaps slightly revised from what was previously implemented because it seems the Department feels it was too expensive. The answer to the question of primary schools being able to get teachers is to have a supply panel to be able to get substitute teachers. That is one suggestion. At post-primary, we would suggest full-time contracts. As Ms Irwin said, 22% of new entrants do not get a full-time contract. That will not attract teachers to stay in the country. To a parent faced with his or her son or daughter having perhaps €20,000 a year versus €40,000 or €50,000, it is clear what the choice would be.