Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Most teachers who have taken part in the teacher exchange programme for five years will have set down roots in the area. If the school, local community and teacher in question are happy, it would seem fair and reasonable that a mechanism would be put in place to allow such exchange teachers to make their positions permanent.

The issue appears to be with trade unions and management. Perhaps the Minister of State will use his good offices to arrange a meeting to ascertain if we can make progress on this issue. He stated that, without prejudice and all things being equal, he would, subject to the trade unions and management being satisfied with any resolution, examine the option I have proposed.