Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I second the proposal by Senator Moloney that we set aside time to debate the announcement on the mobility and motorised transport allowance. As spokesperson on disability for the Labour Party group, I was inundated with calls from stressed and worried people who had gained a sense of independence thanks to the mobility allowance and now feared that it would be withdrawn. While I recognise that ¤10.5 million has been ringfenced for them, what will happen in four months' time? I agree with the Senator that it would be beneficial if we were to put our heads together in this House or if some of us asked to be on the working group, given that we are in touch with people who receive the allowance.

In regard to unemployed teachers, I have previously raised the issue of retired teachers being employed in schools. Some 3,365 newly-qualified teachers graduated from college last year, whereas 153 retired teachers were employed by schools in the two weeks before Christmas. I commend the Minister for Education and Skills on his recommendation that schools should priorities unemployed and newly-qualified teachers when employing substitutes but, as we approach the time of year when teachers will be asked to get involved in practical examinations and State examination supervision, I ask that some kind of system be put in place so that graduate and unemployed teachers are given priority over retired teachers.