Mr. Kieran Christie:

We do not know exact numbers and I doubt if anybody has collated those. We are hearing that schools that have advertised positions have received very few applicants with none in some cases. That situation will only be exacerbated, as my colleague said, in the context of the provisions of the public service stability agreement, PSSA, and the likelihood of a considerable number of retirements in October. It is, therefore, something we will watch carefully in the weeks to come but the portents are not good. We are hearing anecdotally that interviews are taking place but there are very few applicants for the available jobs. Some people have told us that they have not received any applications for jobs, particularly in pinch areas such as languages and practical subjects. That situation can only get worse in the context of illnesses and retirements that are in line.