Mary Moran (Labour)

I echo the sentiments expressed by my colleague, Senator Moloney, in calling for a debate on youth mental health. Perhaps we could have it before the summer recess.

Recent reports have highlighted that 1,311 retired teachers were employed as supervisors at the State examinations. This alarming number is up from 1,147 retired teachers who were employed last year, an increase of 13%. It is inequitable and highly unsatisfactory that retired teachers are being rehired to supervise examinations when thousands of graduates are being forced to emigrate because they are unable to get work. In comparison with the high number of retired teachers employed for supervision this year, only 742 unemployed and substitute teachers were employed. I call on the Minister to cease this practice and ensure young graduates, substitute teachers and unemployed teachers get first preference when supervisors for State examinations are being hired.

I have raised continually throughout the year the issue of the employment of unqualified teachers and the urgent need to hold on to our valuable graduates, if at all possible. In the past year, 700 graduate teachers have gone to Abu Dhabi. Since February of this year, 321 retired teachers have been re-employed by schools, 186 in primary schools and 147 at second level. We need to provide every opportunity for our graduates to work in Ireland. To that end, we must put a structured system in place. I propose we reintroduce the practice of maintaining a panel of suitably qualified teachers who would be available to work at short notice. This would be preferable to the practice of hiring non-qualified or retired teachers when suitably qualified teachers are available.