Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that response.

Over the past year, we have seen the emergence of a two-tier system in the teaching profession. Teachers who qualified as recently as 2010 and are on starting salaries, including allowances, of €39,000 are now teaching alongside newly qualified teachers who are on the new pay scale of €30,000, some 30% less than their colleagues.

We must continue to attract highly qualified teachers into the profession because that provides the basis for ensuring that students get the best possible education and is the platform on which the rest of our education system is built.

I would like to hear the Minister's comments on the negotiation of the new Croke Park agreement. Can he give an assurance that there will be no further hits on newly qualified teachers in the agreement? Can he also give an assurance that he will address the emergence of the two-tier system and ensure that newly qualified teachers receive equal treatment with their more experienced colleagues.

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