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

Part of the problem with the system is the way the hours are structured. Unfortunately some schools can fall short, even by half an hour, of the hours required to have a full-time teacher. That is definitely an area that needs to be addressed. The way in which the hours are accounted for is complex. We should try to offer permanent jobs. Teachers would then be invested in schools and the community and everybody - the parents, school and community - would benefit. That makes good sense.

I thank the Department officials, Ms Deirdre McDonnell, Mr. Eddie Ward and Mr. Conor McCourt, for attending. We appreciate the engagement with them. We will soon finalise our report and make recommendations to the Minister. The witnesses indicated there is some other information they will forward us. They might forward that to the clerk to the committee, Mr. Alan Guidon, and he will make sure we all get it.

The next time we will meet will be at our summer school. I look forward to that. In the meantime, I hope all members have an opportunity to take a good break. I thank them for all their help and support throughout the year. I also thank the clerk to the committee, Mr. Alan Guidon, and Mr. Ian D'Arcy, Ms Susan Moran, Ms Brenda McCauley, Ms Nuala Walsh, Mr. Ciaran Brennan, and all the staff we have helping and supporting our committees. Their work is very much appreciated. As there is no other business, I will adjourn the meeting.