Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister knows that to fail to plan is to plan to fail. On 8 November 2017, I asked a question about the programme for Government which refers to education as the key to giving every child an equal opportunity in life. I stated, "Despite the commitment in the budget to reduce teacher-pupil ratios and provide new teachers, schools are experiencing significant difficulties sourcing substitute cover, with substitute teachers not available within 80 km of many schools." On the increase in the number of teachers and various developments in teaching, the Taoiseach replied:

We are not having a significant difficulty hiring teachers. However, it may be that because we are hiring teachers and so many of them are securing permanent jobs, fewer teachers are available to do substitution.

I spent 35 years teaching at primary level and 23 of those as teaching principal. Last week I contacted every school in my constituency, both primary and secondary, for their views. I will not elaborate more than anyone else but, without being repetitive in order to ensure others have their speaking time, the key issues were pay inequality and substitute teachers, which was the second most complained about issue. I have been told by many of those schools that, in their experience, substitutes are extremely hard to find. One of the key points being made is that lots of schools were relying on BEd students because they are off at the moment. This crisis will continue to grow unless the Minister deals with it.

I have previously referred to the cost of living. Living in cities and commuting 80 km to do substitute work does not pay. Something needs to be done about the system for the return of retired teachers to fill the gaps. Others have referred to the shortage of teachers in certain subject areas and gluts in others. Finally, it would be remiss of me not to say that it is time the moneys given to primary schools were the same given to secondary and other schools in capitation payments. In terms of funding, the primary sector is on the back foot.

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