Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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My last question is quite general. I have a real worry about casualisation of the profession, particularly at secondary level. Do the witnesses have detail such as can be supplied in the short amount of time available? It is a particular problem at secondary level but I know it is creeping into primary as well. I am referring to people who are full-time, permanent staff versus people who are temporary and part-time. I know it is really affecting young teachers. We are seeing a flight of teachers from the capital because they are being offered temporary part-time hours in schools and they cannot make ends meet on it. If we casualise the profession it will be a cause of real concern. One of the things that has propped up the education system in Ireland is the quality of the candidates we attract into the teaching profession. We do not want to undermine that. People are the basis of the education system. Will the witnesses give an outline of trends with temporary part-time contracts being offered to secondary school teachers?