Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a difficult issue for substitute teachers who find themselves in this position. Officials in the Department have been working very closely with the Revenue Commissioners. A new online system is having initial difficulties and there are anomalies with personal public service, PPS, numbers but I am glad to be able to say today that this week 533 substitute teachers and 177 non-teaching staff will be paid. We still have to work through another cohort. I am happy to give the Deputy a daily update because I hope the remaining teachers will be sorted within the next few days.

I also want to acknowledge these substitute teachers who have had to deal with this very difficult situation. They have been in touch with the Department because they needed reassurances to pay rent and mortgages and we were happy to provide them. Teachers are due holiday pay at Easter. We are trying to bring that forward in the next couple of weeks as an acknowledgement and as a support for them having come through financial hardship.

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