Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin. I want to be very clear that I do not underestimate the extraordinary challenges, in particular areas, and it is in particular areas, for school leadership to fill posts. There is no doubt about this. We are a country at near full employment. The issues we face in education are reflected in so many other areas, whether it be hospitality, health or wherever. It is important to look back at all of the various initiatives that have been taken. We are not standing still. We are being proactive.

Should post-primary teachers so wish, they are entitled to work an additional 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term. This has provided a significant number of additional hours. Specifically in reference to the Dublin allowance, I acknowledge that whatever we do in terms of a Dublin allowance would also have to be done for other sectors of society. We keep everything under review. I must also say with regard to the salary that would be provided with a Dublin allowance, the London salary is similar to the salary being provided for teachers in this country without a Dublin allowance. It has not necessarily solved the entirety of issues in London either.

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