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

Absences occur for various reasons such as sickness or in-service training. The level of absences requiring substitution noted in that letter are very high. There may be a need to examine how we schedule activities in order that strain is not put on schools during certain months of the year. The Deputy has indicated it can be a particular problem during September. I will examine ways to plan a better spread of in-service training days, which might cause a considerable number of absences at the same time and consider if there is a better way to reduce the pressure that gives rise to the need for substitution.

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