Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if regional teaching panels will be established in order to assist in covering substitutable days. [40178/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this year I established the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. The Group is considering the issues that relate to teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession.

The Steering Group is supported by a number of working groups which are looking in more detail at the issues under these broad headings. The matter of supply panels to cover substitute vacancies is part of that consideration. In addition, officials of my Department are engaging directly with the teacher unions. As part of that engagement, the supply panel issue was the subject of an initial discussion with INTO and it is intended to have a follow up meeting on the matter with the union in the near future.