Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have been discussing this tragic case in Galway for two weeks now. From the outset I requested an independent inquiry. I realise we are in a logjam situation at the moment. Incredible sensitivities are involved in this case. I appeal for openness on both sides in order that we can proceed in the interests of truth and justice, bearing in mind that a grieving husband is involved.

I wish to raise an issue about which I am most concerned - that is, the increasing levels of new teacher unemployment. A number of graduates in Galway have come to me to say they are only getting an occasional day substituting here and there. One case involved a young man who had applied for 131 places but got only two interviews. More important is the lack of places for new teachers to work their probation. There was a time when one left college and had up to five years to do this, but the last Government brought this down to three years. I appeal to the Minister for Education and Skills and I call on the Leader to ask that he increase this by at least one year to four years. Many of these young people are at the end of their three years and cannot be full teachers, which means they cannot travel abroad as qualified teachers. I question the wisdom of continuing to train more teachers if we cannot at a minimum provide places for them to do their probation. One easy way to do this immediately is to extend the period from three years to at least four years. Obviously, if there is a lack of places and jobs they will need more time. We should be smart and think of our young people, the talent base of our future generations when it comes to teaching and learning.