Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The question is similar to that asked by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. I am pleased to have been in a position to significantly expand the recruitment of primary teachers, with 1,093 new primary teachers recruited in 2016-17 and 1,160 in 2017-18. The 2016-17 posts have been successfully filled and the process for filling the additional posts in the current year is almost complete. With regard to the 637 primary posts announced in budget 2018, my Department estimates there will be approximately 1,750 new primary teachers next year, which is sufficient to meet the requirements of the system while taking into account anticipated retirements.

I am aware of certain reported difficulties in recruiting substitute teachers at primary level, including in the cases referred to by the Deputy, and have taken a number of steps to address them, as I earlier outlined. I am considering other initiatives that could be taken.

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