Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I regret the fact the Minister has not moved one bit since we last discussed this issue. We are dealing with the most disadvantaged schools in many cases. The supply panel presents teachers who are qualified, experienced and vetted at a time when that is important. Withdrawing the scheme is regressive in a way that lacks planning and vision. I cannot understand the figures or how this saves €1.1 million. I cannot work that out and will come back to the issue. I cannot see how it could possibly do that. The teachers provide cover in the schools in question, but those schools will now have to put in substitute teachers and pay them daily.

The removal of the scheme is regrettable, sends out a wrong signal and gives the impression the Government does not care. I suggested a way of dealing with the issue and suggested it should be done in a cost neutral way, saving, for example, 50% or 40% of the cost. The Minister of State has not quite said that the scheme is only approximately 60% effective, but that is what he inferred. I suggest that if that is the case, we should save on 40% of the cost but keep the structure. The change should be cost neutral. How can the Department of Finance argue against running the scheme on a cost neutral basis? We should consider what needs to be saved and save it. I regret that has not been done. I urge the Minister of State to take my suggestion back to the Minister and ask her to reconsider the situation and put the plans to abolish the scheme on hold until we establish all the facts.