Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and appreciate her response. I want to work with the Minister and Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. Ultimately, the Department is trying to benefit students. The most important people across the country are those who need a good education and start in life. We have serious issues when it comes to the number of teachers in our classrooms. That is firsthand knowledge. This issue ranges across not just the Department of Education, but other Departments.

One of the biggest issues for teachers is housing, followed by the cost of childcare and cost of living. I know that goes outside of the Minister's Department, but the lack of affordable accommodation and childcare are real concerns for many teachers.

We do not have the necessary school accommodation. Last week, the Minister outlined to me the amount of money that has been spent since 2020, but the reality is that we still do not have that accommodation. Classes across the country are being taught in prefabs. I ask the Minister to investigate the number of prefabs that are being used and the level of additional accommodation that is necessary in schools in order to move forward with the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio.

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