Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The JAMs entered the system in the time of the late John Wilson, who was then a Deputy. During that time, there was a great shortage of teachers. Over the years, training courses were put in place for those teachers so they could become qualified, as was correct. In this day and age, the teacher training colleges are bursting with people. Hibernia College is bursting with people. HDip courses are bursting with those who are studying to become second level teachers.

I take very grave objection to section 12 on behalf of any properly registered and professionally trained teacher, be he a primary teacher or HDip teacher at second level. It is not correct that we would give permission to a Department to do so. Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 provides that a person who is employed as a teacher but is not a registered teacher shall not be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. What has happened since 2001? I presume all the teachers employed since 2001 did not work for nothing. Who has been paying them and from what fund have they been paid? This question needs to be addressed. It is nine years since that legislation was passed, at which time it was illegal to do this. I appeal to the Minister to allow that part of the Bill to stand.

I believe the Department, Minister and Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, have made a serious mistake in putting this forward. On behalf of those who have toiled to qualify as a teacher, I believe it is wrong. It is facetious and insulting to any fully trained-up member of the teaching profession. I am appalled that any Government Minister or Department would seek to enshrine this in legislation. The Minister told us last night at the parliamentary party meeting that this will apply in only exceptional circumstances. However, exceptions become the norm. I want to know what person or deed propelled this measure into this Bill. All that was required was the removal of the provision in regard to teachers not being paid out of the public purse. It was not necessary to insert another section which is heaping wrong upon wrong.

We live in a very technocratic age, an age when everybody - at least everybody I know - has a mobile telephone. Also there is ready access to computers even if one does not own one. Why then do we not have in place a database of available teachers for specific hours and with particular subject qualifications who can be contacted by text message or e-mail by the principal of a school seeking a teacher? There are plenty of qualified teachers. It is ridiculous to suggest we could not put in place a database in which the proficiencies and excellence of teachers who remain idle can be noted. There are many idle primary and second level teachers, in particular in the subject speciality area. It is heartbreaking for them that we are legislating to allow a person who is not qualified to be employed while they remain unemployed.

I do not accept the argument of a teacher being caught up in an accident and not being available to teach. It should be possible for principals to access by telephone, e-mail or text message a teacher within a 20 mile radius of the school concerned. Even if a substitute is required for only a few hours it is far better that a child is in a class which is being taught by a qualified teacher rather than that he or she is in a classroom being taught by a person who may be well meaning - nobody is taking that from them - but is not trained. People treat the profession of teaching very lightly. It is an intricate, hands-on, one-to-one job which calls upon the skills and resources of the person in charge of the students.

I ask the Minister of State and his officials to bring back to Marlborough Street my distaste of this part of the Bill and my abhorrence at what is being done, which is wrong and incorrect. It shows an ignorance of the professionalism of teachers. I believe this matter should be rectified on Committee Stage.

I would like a response in regard to what has happened since 2001. I doubt if all of those who were not qualified were not paid. I have grave reservations about this provision. Another concern which I expressed this morning while complimenting the Minister is the lack of reference to Educate Together schools. This Bill is all about the new vocational community primary school set up. I would have very grave suspicions of the Church so readily and quickly embracing this with open arms while Educate Together is in situ. There was not a word of praise or acclaim in the Minister's speech of what the 57 primary schools operating well around the country have done. As what would happen in the Soviet Bloc, they were air-brushed out of existence.

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