Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If there is a complaint then at what point does the Teaching Council engage in the process? I want to understand the process and I ask the Minister to elaborate on the provision.

I welcome the minimum service requirement for probation. It has been reduced to 100 days in order to allow student teachers to complete their probation period.

I want the Minister to clear up another issue which relates to JobBridge. There are myths about JobBridge. It has been regularly said that young teachers have taken the jobs of other teachers but I do not believe that has been the case. I wish to put on record that I am very much in favour of JobBridge. I am also in favour of giving young people - be they teachers or whatever - work experience because it is a big issue in terms of unemployment. Employers receive impressive CVs that list primary degrees, masters and doctorates but the person may not have one day's work experience. An employer will take on a person who has work experience. Therefore, it is important to give young people a chance to gain some. I ask the Minister to expand and clarify the matter.

As a teacher I can say that it is important to have ongoing training and learning. It is crucial for the teacher but it is also crucial to maintain the morale in the school. One is constantly learning new skills and new ways to deal with special needs children. It is vital to keep up to date. What is learned in teacher training college is great but skills must be constantly renewed. A lot of teachers, as the Minister has said, are already engaged in training. It is nothing new but training will now be standard across the country.

I have outlined my main issues. I welcome the attendance of the Minister. The Teaching Council is a very good step forward for the teaching profession.