Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister will agree that the casualisation of work practices in the teaching profession is having a demoralising effect on newly qualified teachers. It is clear from OECD figures that about 73% of Irish post-primary teachers are in permanent positions compared to Denmark where the percentage is in the mid 90s. It is estimated that about 27% of teachers are on a contract basis. When a teacher is on a contract basis, it is a very difficult situation. We expect teachers to deliver a high quality education yet many are demoralised and do not feel appreciated. The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, of which I am a member, has returned from a recent trip to Finland where we studied the education system. The one thing we took from that trip was the high regard in which the teaching profession was held within society. The profession is held in higher regard than that of doctors and lawyers. It is practically the top profession and there is much respect for it. There is a misconception among the public that everyone in the teaching profession is in a full-time position but that is not the case. Many of our young teachers are struggling from week to week to find work, not to mention paying bills and putting food on the table. It is an issue that will have to be addressed by the unions, the Department and the Teaching Council.

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