Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. I accept there is an issue around substitution and that there are very significant challenges. Various measures have been taken by the Minister to date to try to improve the situation in terms of additional teachers being added, and in terms of supply panels and existing new areas where significant challenges have been demonstrated in substitution, and the Minister has appointed 100 extra teachers. I take the Deputy’s point that people would work over and above the 22 hours. I will discuss with the Minister whether that is a further step, in addition to the steps that have already been taken.

The Teaching Council has about 111,000 teachers on the register at the moment, although that does not mean they are all available for substitution. Work is under way to communicate with the entire number of those who are registered. I will take the Deputy’s suggestion and others he has made, given his experience in the field of education, and I will pursue that with the Minister.

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