Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like many Members I am sure, I attended a briefing by the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, held across the street this morning. If anyone has not gone there yet, I recommend they do. A very large turnout of teachers from all over the country was present. Among the many valid points raised, one particularly stood out, which was that in 2009, a great number of posts of responsibility in primary and special schools were suppressed due to the banking crisis. This meant a lot of extra work fell upon the shoulders of principals and deputy principals. At a time when unprecedented change is going on in primary teaching circles and a whole new raft of challenges are being put in front of teachers, it is important they are able to field a full team.

For instance, in March 2009, there were 1,605 assistant principal, AP 1, and 8,593 AP 2 positions. Today, that is down to 1,228 AP 1 posts and 6,655 AP 2 posts. Most of the cutbacks imposed at that particular sad period have been rectified and the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, have been wound down. Clearly, however, there is a lacuna that needs to be looked into. The INTO has costed this. In the current year, it would cost €4 million and in a full budget year €12 million. I understand INTO representatives have met the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. She has engaged with them and has been very positive. I ask the Acting Leader to further relay the concern from this Chamber to her.