Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On permanent contracts, there is a pathway forward. In fact, after two years, people are into permanent contracts, or what are called contracts of indefinite duration. There is a clear pathway.

On costs, I appreciate the €2,000 for the professional master of education is a start. The additional courses like upskilling courses are across a wide variety of different subject areas and are also free of charge. There is no cost to any teacher who would like to step forward.

In the context of career breaks, secondments or anything of that nature, people often choose for a variety of reasons, such as family reasons or illness, to take those measures. Regarding reduction of class size, over three budgets, we have reduced the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level to an historic low of 23:1. That was never before done over three consecutive budgets.

Equally, in special education we now have class sizes that are one teacher to six students and two SNAs in the classroom. This is all positive but it requires additional staff.

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