Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Reading them reminds us that while we have moved forward in terms of the promotion of mental well-being for students in schools, teachers are being left behind. That is even more the case for principal teachers. The results of the survey are startling and reveal disturbing levels of stress. That is not surprising and we must do something about it.

Page 9 of the submission states that the system of one release day per week is in operation in Northern Ireland for more than ten years. How does the model work there? What is the resistance from the Department of Education and Skills here? Has the Department liaised with the Department in Northern Ireland to see how such a system could work?

From the point of view of the pupils, how will consistency of cover be achieved for the one day a week? Is the shortage of substitute teachers and other teachers related to the issue of equal pay for equal work? Will it not be possible to achieve consistency of cover, given that teaching is seen as a less attractive option for a profession? I speak as a former teacher and I have seen the inequality in the school where I worked for 20 years. How can consistency of cover be addressed?

What happens currently if a management issue arises when a principal teacher is in a classroom and he or she has to step out? How is the situation controlled? If a principal must step out, he or she will be concerned about the 30 children who have been left behind? Is someone on standby? Do health and safety issues arise?