Ms Andrea Feeney:

There is a step change in the numbers this year. We need to be conscious of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had and of a pent-up demand in the summer of 2022, when teachers could go on holidays for the first time since 2019 and made the choice to do so. That context needs to be borne in mind, but there are things we need to do.

The other thing we have going into 2023 is certainty from the initial part of the recruitment process about the rates of payment. A decision was taken in budget 2023 about the money that will be provided and be available next year which empowers us from the beginning to be able to advertise the pay side of the equation. The other side of the equation is the experience and what it brings to a teacher. We highlight to teachers the professional benefits of engaging in work with or marking the State examinations for their knowledge of their subject.

It is also useful in terms of what they can bring back to the classroom in terms of their professional practice.