Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. He has just put an extraordinary fact on the record. If one takes the post-primary sector for example, he has just told the House that one principal in every school effectively retired in the first ten months of this year. If that is not a flight from the profession, I am not sure what is. That is a very serious loss of senior and middle management within the education system, as I am sure he will accept. While it could be argued that this creates opportunities for younger teachers to take on new posts, there is an issue of concern here, given the importance of leadership within our schools, particularly at primary and post-primary levels.

Will the Minister tell the House the expected cost to his Department this year from the retirements to date? Has he been in discussion with the principals' associations at primary and post-primary levels to inquire why so many people are leaving the education system?

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