Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Government's plans to make it easier and quicker for new teachers to become permanent - that is a positive step - but I ask the Government to also look at bringing in a rule that new permanent teachers must wait five years before taking a career break. Principals and teachers I have spoken to in County Offaly are very clear on this. Early career breaks are causing problems with staffing and making it harder to plan ahead. It is also upsetting for students who need stability in the classroom. Will the Government review the career break policy as part of these changes?

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