Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They are, however, honouring the hours at the moment which is significant.

My final question is on casual teacher staffing. Thousands of young teachers under 35 are on part-time hours. They have insecure employment, low hours or both. With respect, I spoke to the Minister’s official outside the Chamber and I have checked it again. There is disagreement over the Minister’s explanation, although I respectfully accept it.

I have learned the Lansdowne Road agreement pay increases of 2.5% and 1% are due in January. However, they are linked to the pay scale of a full-time teacher. The lowest point on the scale for a full-time teacher is €31,000. A person on 11 hours’ teaching, who is in insecure and part-time employment, earns €15,000 a year. According to the Teachers Union of Ireland, these teachers, who comprise half of all the under 35-year-old teacher cohort, will not benefit from the Lansdowne Road agreement because its increases are linked to points on the salary scale. This needs to be clarified on the record of the House.

We have to plan ahead for teacher supply. That is the job of the Department.