In a survey conducted by the primary teacher union INTO, it was found that there are at least 951 vacant teacher posts in primary and special schools. This number is expected to triple in the coming months due to a severe teacher shortage crisis. The survey, completed by over 1,300 schools, also revealed that an additional 1,816 vacancies are anticipated by next January.
The recruitment crisis is most prominent in Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare, where over half of the schools reported unfilled teaching positions. Schools are struggling to fill these gaps by taking teachers out of special education roles and relying on unregistered individuals to fill positions.
The INTO is calling for immediate action from the government to address the housing and living cost pressures in urban areas, which are major factors contributing to the teacher shortage. The impact of this shortage is particularly detrimental to children with additional needs.
School principals, like Shane Loftus from Our Lady Immaculate Senior National School in Dublin, are concerned about the strain on staff and the potential impact on students. The INTO is advocating for the establishment of a national teacher supply commission to address the crisis and ensure the future delivery of quality education in Ireland.