merrion street

In response to the TUI decision to take industrial action a Department spokesperson pointed out that the education budget has increased in the last two budgets by more than €200m (€60m in Budget 2015 and €144m in Budget 2016).

This has allowed, for instance, for a cut in the pupil teacher ratio at primary level and second-level, the employment of approximately 3000 more teachers, and the enhancement of school leadership.

The Department is also currently implementing reforms to tackle casualisation in the teacher profession on foot of a report last year by an Expert Group chaired by Mr. Peter Ward, S.C. These changes allow fixed-term teachers to acquire permanent positions more easily and quickly, and enable part-time teachers to gain additional hours.

The Department is open to engaging with the TUI on issues of mutual concern in the context of their continuing co-operation with collective agreements.