Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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933. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the establishment of the committee for a root and branch review of the workload being placed on teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60182/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers and other school staff available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. The Irish school system is fortunate in the quality of the workforce and that teaching remains an attractive profession.

As the Deputy will be aware under the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme and following a period of negotiations with the post-primary teacher unions my Department published a package of further supports in early May following which both Unions concerned balloted their members. The Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures document contains a commitment to establish a working group regarding the concerns on workload expressed by teacher representatives.

My Department is currently working with relevant stakeholders on the implementation of those implementation support measures whilst recognising that one teacher union voted to accept the relevant aspects of the support measures package whilst the other rejected it.

The teaching profession is highly attractive, with strong demand for teacher education programmes with 3,600 newly qualified teachers registered in 2025 and competitive salaries. CAO first preference data showed continued increases in teaching programmes of 9% in primary and 5% in post-primary at the closing deadline in February of this year.

The Department frequently consults stakeholders and will continue to engage closely on issues such as workforce planning through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions.

I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.