Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is no surprise to any of us who have been living in any of our cities over the past number of years that it is becoming increasingly difficult to live in them. Rents continue to increase. We saw the astounding figures yesterday relating to how much they have increased since 2010. It comes as no surprise that people are finding it impossible to live in the cities. Many have to commute further and further. The lessons we learned from Covid-19 about having a work-life balance have been knocked on the head. The reality for many teachers is that insecure, temporary contracts have a massive impact. We have all seen it in our families and among our friends. People have to move from one end of the country to the other end to try to find a place to work. This is not a new issue. It is not just affecting our cities; it affects our offshore islands as well. There used to an allowance of more than €2,000 for teachers living on our offshore islands who might only get a few hours a week in a particular school. They used to get a small allowance to move there or to help them with the commute, which is obviously a difficult commute. However, that allowance was taken away. I have raised this issue previously and it needs to be examined. Another issue I feel strongly about is that some islands, such as Inishbofin, do not have a secondary school. I have been trying to raise this issue in the Chamber for some time. Children who are leaving primary school have to move onto the mainland. Tá mé théis é seo a ardú go rímhinic ach tá sé fíorthábhachtach go dtiocfadh an liúntas ar ais a bhíodh ag múinteoirí i dtaca dul chuig na hoileáin amach ón gcósta. Tuigimid cé chomh deacair is atá sé do na scoileanna ar na hoileáin daoine a earcú mar gheall go bhfuil costas sa bhreis ann chun bogadh amach go dtí na hoileáin nó chun dul amach i gcomhair cúpla uair in aghaidh na seachtaine. Caithfear breathnú air sin. Tagraím don stuif mar gheall ar stop a chur le career breaks; seafóid iomlán atá ann.

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