Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that a body of work needs to be done in this regard. As the Deputy acknowledged, it is positive that this is now the work and consideration of the sub-committee.

We must be clear that the Teachers' Conciliation Council is made up of a variety of bodies. It is not just the Department of Education. It is also made up of teachers' representatives, school management and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order that there is a full, frank and open discussion as regards what we can do.

It is my hope and expectation that this will be prioritised in terms of moving it apace. There is an absolute commitment around looking with priority at the specific issues I already raised, whether it is the seven-year cap for those outside of the EU or the alignment of primary and post-primary conditions into one system. The next meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled to take place in January. It is difficult to give a particular timeline but it is being given the highest priority.

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