Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2017
50. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lack of primary school teachers available to fill both long-term and short-term posts (details supplied); his plans to rectify this through setting up supply panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44858/17]
View answerThe question is similar to that asked by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. I am pleased to have been in a position to significantly expand the recruitment of primary teachers, with 1,093 new primary teachers recruited in 2016-17 and 1,160 in 2017-18. The 2016-17 posts have been successfully filled and the process for filling the additional posts in the current year is almost complete. With regard to the 637 primary posts announced in budget 2018, my Department estimates there will be approximately 1,750 new primary teachers next year, which is sufficient to meet the requirements of the system while taking into account anticipated retirements.
I am aware of certain reported difficulties in recruiting substitute teachers at primary level, including in the cases referred to by the Deputy, and have taken a number of steps to address them, as I earlier outlined. I am considering other initiatives that could be taken.
I do not wish to be alarmist but there is an emerging crisis in the primary education system. The lack of substitute teachers has led to the traditional student-teacher model becoming quite dysfunctional. On eight occasions there were no teachers to supervise classes in Adamstown Castle Educate Together school in Lucan, which is in my constituency, and that meant classes were put together and students lost out. The Minister is probably cognisant of the emerging crisis but it could get worse.
Substitute posts can be difficult to fill. If a very short-term substitution for a person pursuing other interests needs to be filled, potential applicants may be more interested in a long-term placement. As part of the negotiated agreements, we shortened the period whereby people can get contracts of indefinite duration or a permanent post. Strong career opportunities are offered by the increase in the number of permanent full-time positions at the current rate of over 1,000 per year. That puts some pressure on availability for substitution, which is why I have made some changes in respect of those on career breaks, the recently retired or others who could take up some hours when they become available. There will be 1,750 new primary teachers next year, 630 of whom are being absorbed in net new intake. The Department believes that intake when balanced with the number of retirements will be sufficient to meet the needs in the sector. I continue to examine the issue and will discuss concerns arising in the area with various stakeholders. Analysis has to be based on more than anecdotal evidence; we have to look at detailed statistics on the nature of the problem.
It is more than anecdotal evidence. The chairwoman of a group representing principals of primary schools in Dublin 15 wrote an alarming letter to The Irish Times, the first few sentences of which stated:
We have collated the figures for the month of September 2017 alone and they make for disturbing reading – the number of school days when substitute teachers were not available to cover absences in Dublin 15 during September 2017 was 546. As a result, classes are divided and children are being sent to other available classrooms, often at short notice, resulting in disruption and overcrowding in those classrooms. The education of all concerned is significantly compromised on these occasions. Often, special education teachers are required to suspend their support timetables to teach mainstream classes, thereby depriving the most vulnerable children of their vital supports.
The principals of schools in Dublin 15 hold a different view to that of the Minister. There is an emerging crisis in regard to substitute teachers.
Absences occur for various reasons such as sickness or in-service training. The level of absences requiring substitution noted in that letter are very high. There may be a need to examine how we schedule activities in order that strain is not put on schools during certain months of the year. The Deputy has indicated it can be a particular problem during September. I will examine ways to plan a better spread of in-service training days, which might cause a considerable number of absences at the same time and consider if there is a better way to reduce the pressure that gives rise to the need for substitution.
