Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Notwithstanding the fact that this matter is officially under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education and Skills is one of the key Departments affected by it. Throughout the recession, young teachers were employed because we needed teachers whereas staff were not taken on in other areas of the public service. A large cohort of young teachers have been in position for up to four or five years and rightly feel aggrieved and badly treated. I suggest the Minister make this matter a policy priority for his Department in its budget negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Government.

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