Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like the Leader to ask the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, to address the shortage of substitute primary teachers in our primary schools. School principals are reporting that they are finding it increasingly difficult to get substitute teachers on a short or long-term basis. Last week, a number of principals highlighted that in the case of maternity leave cover some 25 texts were sent but, apparently, only one reply was received. Another principal said when a request was sent for maternity leave cover no one responded to the advertisement.Last summer a firm recruiting teaching staff for Dubai, recruited 50 primary schoolteachers in one hour. They were offered lucrative contracts in Dubai for two years, including paying for rent. That is what we are competing against. It is a serious issue that we need to address. I ask the Leader to raise with the Minister for Education and Skills the number of substitute teachers available. There are indications that the figure could be as low as 50. What plans, if any, does the Minister have to address the issue so that it does not become a serious problem?