Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Particularly when teachers are losing their jobs. Does the Minister believe it is good enough that an excellent organisation such as the IPPN must devise a website and system to ensure we have an adequate supply of qualified substitute teachers? Is it not the responsibility of the Department to do this and to do so in a co-ordinated manner so that the Minister can guarantee the qualifications of the people who go into our schools as substitutes? Will the Minister give consideration to this matter?

In terms of the Minister's dialogue with the Teaching Council, will he provide the House with information in respect of the number of unqualified teachers currently in our primary school system?

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