Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the Cork Life Centre, the key consideration in this review, which relates not only to that centre but to all such centres, is securing their sustainability. That will very much be the focus. The review will cover many of the issues Deputies Ó Laoghaire and O'Sullivan and many others have raised with me at different times. I acknowledge the considerable progress being made in the Cork Life Centre through the €177,500 and 6,000 co-operation hours, which is effectively the same as making 8.5 full-time posts available. We are driving forward with that review and with implementation.

On the teacher supply issue the Deputy referenced, as he himself said, many initiatives were put in place last year. These included enhancing the teacher supply or substitution panels, which we have done again this year. There are also more than 3,400 teachers coming on stream this year along with 1,300 third and fourth year students. We are also taking additional measures with regard to job sharing. The rules in this regard are being relaxed to allow teachers to work the hours that suit them. Rules in respect of career breaks are also being relaxed. The measure the Deputy is especially keen on, which allowed existing teachers working a shorter timetable to make themselves available, is the third and final measure. I am looking at that and will review it to see whether it can be reintroduced. However, we have already made the announcements with regard to career breaks and job sharing. I am currently looking at the final measure.