The programme for Government contains a range of commitments on education, not least the recent reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio. However, to do that, we first need a teacher, and I know many principals across north Dublin are struggling to recruit teachers at the moment. They are also struggling to find substitute teachers. There was an arrangement in place previously where special education teaching, SET, hours were allowed to be banked and those classes could be covered. Could the Taoiseach do everything he can to alleviate the many issues teachers and principals face regarding the shortage across the north city?

The Minister for Education is dealing with this issue in terms of recruitment, retention and substitution. We do not want to disadvantage children with special needs either in terms of losing their provision to substitute teachers and the banking of hours. This is something that must be worked out and worked through. There is a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio due to the increase of close to 1,000 SET teachers again this year. There will be a significant recruitment of primary school teachers into the system in addition to recruitment in mainstream schools and schools in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, scheme. It is challenging in the context of Covid but we are working in every creative way we can to improve the substitution side.