Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

This Government has been endeavouring to help unemployed people in genuine ways. I am shocked and disappointed that in recent days, the INTO has decided to issue a directive to its 32,000 members to the effect that they should not participate in the JobBridge internship scheme for newly qualified teachers. Everyone in this House should come together to say that is neither acceptable nor right in these times. The union is objecting and ordering its members not to participate on the grounds of exploitation. We need to look at the realities. No posts will be displaced. All public posts in schools are advertised. Newly qualified teachers will benefit from this scheme by gaining experience. Importantly, they will be allowed to complete their periods of probation during these internships. The classroom teachers whose classes will be taught by those participating in the internship scheme will be allowed to work with those children in their classes who need extra help. Alternatively, they will be able to work on school improvement plans. I fail to understand how anybody is being exploited in these circumstances. It is a win-win all around.

I appeal to the INTO and the TUI, through the Seanad, to reconsider and reverse this decision. We are not in ordinary times. JobBridge is a short-term measure to help our people in the short term. It is no more and no less than that. I would like the Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to intervene with the teacher unions as a matter of urgency. The Minister should allay their fears and request their co-operation for the sake of newly qualified teachers. Almost 3,000 people have qualified as teachers in the last two years. If the union's approach continues, it will be protectionism in the extreme. In my view, it is unfounded.