Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations and thank all the teachers, both primary and secondary, for their contribution and hard work over the past three to four months. It has been a very difficult time for everyone and particularly for teachers.

I want to touch on the issue of substitute cover raised by Mr. Clerkin. I presume there is a panel of people available at the present to provide substitute cover. If there is, what kind of numbers do we have on that? How many additional people do we need to place on that panel to cover for teachers who are out either through illness or family circumstances?