Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for acknowledging the changes being proposed around the permanent posts. The reason I am proposing that is to make sure our young teachers have that permanent position so that they can access mortgages more quickly and that it gives them that sense of belonging within their schools. It is very much a decision for the individual schools as to whether they allow career breaks. We have said very clearly, and the Department has set out clear rules, that if schools cannot fill the position, they should not be allowing teachers to take career breaks. I know that is not always the case. We do have positions that are not filled, in particular in some of our larger cities, but overall, we need to make sure we do everything possible to allow more teachers to come through the system and ensure that we keep those who are here and encourage more back. That is something I am working on at the moment, and I hope to bring forward further proposals in the weeks and months ahead.

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