Mr. John Boyle:

With regard to substitution in primary schools, when I was in the classroom and working for the INTO part time as a local representative in Dublin, I always would compare the resourcing going into Castleknock and Blanchardstown in Dublin 15 with that going into Tallaght and Firhouse, for example, because the numbers of teachers in schools in those two areas are similar. After a lot of pulling and dragging we now have three supply panels based in the Dublin 15 area, but in Tallaght and Firhouse, we only have one. Obviously the teachers and the families in that area whose children do not have qualified teachers are very alarmed at the fact that not many of the schools in the area are covered or the cover is insufficient. Then there are the other 1,000 schools, mostly in rural Ireland. In north Louth, for example, and in various parts of County Cork there is still a huge demand for additional supply panels to be established. I believe the Department is looking at it, but then the Departments of Finance and of Public Expenditure and Reform look at the 320 jobs that went into this scheme and are reluctant to give any more. I believe it is really important for the education of the children that they have a fully qualified teacher every day. In that regard, sending additional supply panels is actually cost neutral. Okay, it looks more on the job scene, but at the same time there is a budget for substitution. Like previous years, if this continues, the budget is not going to be spent. Who is losing out? The children are losing out.