Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of substitution in schools at the moment. I want to raise it in a constructive way, not with the antics that we had again yesterday from across the floor. There is undoubtedly a shortage of substitute teachers. I rang a few principals this morning before I came in. One of them was short 22 staff last Friday between SNAs and teachers, so there are very grave difficulties. I acknowledge some of the measures the Minister has taken in terms of people coming back from career breaks and job sharing to substitute but I believe further measures need to be taken. I will give one suggestion that the Taoiseach might take back to the Minister, which is that where people are contracted, especially at second level, for 22 hours a week, scope would be given so they would be able to work, if they so choose, an extra two, three, four or five hours a week supervising those classes, if required.

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