Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

We have a teacher shortage that is worsening year on year. Principals are finding it increasingly difficult to fill teaching posts. We also have a lack of places for children with disabilities. Meanwhile, there are thousands of Irish teachers teaching in the UAE, Australia and other parts of the world. Many left during the crash in search of employment. Many of them want to come home, but there is a barrier and disincentive. That disincentive is the teacher pay scale. Many teachers have to start at the very bottom. I have a letter from a constituent, which is a rejection of incremental pay credit. This man has taught in the UAE for 15 years. He has valuable experience in the areas of teaching, learning and assessment. He has senior management experience abroad, and yet he starts at point 1 on the pay scale in the Irish system. We need to address this. On one hand, we have a shortage. On the other hand, we have thousands of teachers teaching abroad. It is time we had a proactive approach. I understand the Teachers Conciliation Council met about this issue a number of times in 2019, but there has been no action. We need to intervene here. We need proactive solutions, and we need to bring home these wonderful teachers with experience abroad. They are staying away because the Irish system does not value their valuable contribution in the teaching industry.

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