Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This year, people who were qualified in their field were asked to correct examinations but they were not qualified teachers. The shortage of available qualified teachers this year forced the hiring of individuals outside the sector to correct examinations. That brought the correction process into question and filled many students with fear and confusion.

A 30% increase on existing State Examinations Commission, SEC, pay rates is not a massive ask, given the years of austerity cuts the sector has endured. This is the Senator's issue. Teachers qualified since 2011 have not got a pay increase. That is a major issue.