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

Regarding the commitment in the programme for Government to make Ireland have the best education and training system in Europe, I do not know if the Taoiseach is aware that we have a severe crisis with the provision and supply of teachers. The Minister for Education and Skills does not seem to be aware of it. A report entitled Striking the Balance landed on the previous Minister's desk in December 2015. Eventually, after much pressure, it was published in June 2017. Recommendation No. 1 in that report was that a steering group be appointed to look at these issues. In the recommendation that steering group was to be started in October 2016. The Minister announced in January 2018 that he was establishing the steering group to the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN, conference. It transpired yesterday at the Joint Committee on Education and Skills that the Minister has not actually taken that step.

This is the latest in a series of announcements from the Minister, Deputy Bruton. One will find them every Monday morning in the newspapers or hear about them on radio. He announces something but does not back it up with any action or resources. We will compile a list but it happens every Monday. However, this is the most crucial issue affecting the education system at present. Unqualified people are engaged in teaching. There are children of principals and school secretaries teaching because they have to, and children are not getting the education they deserve and that the Government should provide. The Government needs to get to grips with this issue. As Brian Mooney said in The Irish Times-----

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