Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have met young teachers who are members of the INTO in my constituency. The cumulative loss to them over their working lifetime will be between €70,000 and €100,000. The Government's policy of pay inequality needs to end. Teachers are leaving the country en masseand it cannot continue. The Government needs to properly reward teachers with decent pay and conditions, and its failure to deliver acceptable working conditions has led to our best and brightest leavingen masse. Who can blame them when it appears the Government and the Minister have no appetite to address properly the myriad problems in the sector. There has been a complete collapse in the numbers applying for teaching courses. The State Examinations Commission is pleading for schools to release teachers to assess leaving certificate and junior certificate oral and practical examinations.

A record number of Irish teachers are now working abroad and there is a complete shortage of suitable substitute teachers. These points are particularly stark. We know our graduates, be they teachers, nurses or doctors, are among the best trained in the world, but other countries also know it and, unlike Ireland, they are willing to pay decent wages because they recognise and appreciate the importance of the teaching profession. London, Dubai and Sydney will continue to reap the benefits of Ireland's talented young teachers until the Government agrees a roadmap with teachers on how full pay equality will be achieved. This is what today's motion calls for.

The issue of substitute teachers is one that has been raised with me locally on numerous occasions. In my constituency of Dublin West, the Dublin 15 primary principals' network has conducted considerable work in the area. In a letter to the Minister, they stated they have grave concerns about the unprecedented lack of teachers available to fill posts. They also note this is having a serious impact on the day to day running of schools, the safety of our children and the quality of our learning. It is not good enough that the Minister has failed to address this issue and, with the Taoiseach, has his head in the sand on this matter. It is important that he addresses it, attracts young teachers home and keeps new graduates working with full pay equality.

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