Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is like a game of pass the parcel here with Ministers this morning. I wish to thank the Social Democrats. The Minister must listen to the principals and teachers who are on the front line. They have the answers and so far the INTO has deplored her lack of engagement and consultation on potential changes to members' terms and conditions. The TUI said that her proposals would make the profession less attractive and, ultimately, worsen the teacher recruitment and teaching crisis. It also criticised the lack of consultation.

A recent TUI survey found that 91% of secondary schools experienced teacher recruitment difficulties in the past six months while 61% experienced teacher retention difficulties. The system of banked hours that operated in schools at the height of the Covid pandemic needs to be reinstated immediately. Kildare is one of the worst affected areas. In an IPPN survey, 63% of respondents said they did not have access to a fully staffed supply panel, 92% have ongoing challenges in recruiting substitute teachers and 100% have had to redeploy a special education teacher to cover a mainstream class. Our most vulnerable children are suffering. Shortages at secondary level are more widespread and are severe in particular subjects. The Government failure to plan ahead is the cause of this crisis and the root cause, as many other Deputies have said, is the cost of living and housing.

I hope the Minister of State is listening. The principals and teachers who are on the front line have answers and they need to be looked at. A new secondary school will open in Monasterevin in the next year but it will be beyond capacity on the day it opens. That is simply not good enough. Things need to change and we need action.

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