Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
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I know what the witnesses are talking about in terms of the inspectorate. If that legislation had been introduced 40 years ago I would have been sent to jail on several occasions. Regarding what he said about the length of time it takes to get a degree, then a teacher qualification and then a few hours teaching, that is a serious situation. I have two children at college who want to go on to become teachers. They are doing the three year course and, following that, they will do the postgraduate certification if it is introduced. I have told them to have another string to their bow because they will not be able to make a living from teaching. We struggled in teaching but we made a living from it and were able to raise our families. I have a great fear that it will not be possible for the new teachers to do that, and that issue must be addressed.

I take the other point made about adult education and board representation. We will examine that and fight for it during the passage of the Bill but there are serious issues facing teachers. Teachers in the vocational education sector have telephoned me asking if there is an hour or five hours' teaching in Dundalk or a job anywhere. Those teachers who are looking for hours are from Meath and other areas. I agree that this is a serious situation.