Updated 13.55
Teachers have held a nationwide lunchtime protest at schools and colleges around the country.
The demonstration by members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) is in protest at lower pay rates for newly qualified teachers.
Teaching staff at Gaelcholaiste Cheatharlach pictured with Senator Jennifer Murnane O Connor and TUI Area Rep Liz Farrell. The Senator called early to show support before raising issue of #PayInequality today in the Seanad pic.twitter.com/Nc5vFTgyZY
— Teachers' Union Ire. (@TUIunion) February 1, 2018
Gorey Community School, Co Wexford #PayEquality pic.twitter.com/YpH5nZDx0T
— Teachers' Union Ire. (@TUIunion) February 1, 2018
The union claims pay inequality in the profession means schools are finding it hard to recruit new teachers.
According to the union, there have been particular challenges in recruiting teachers for second-level subjects such as Irish, science, maths, home economics and modern languages.
TUI President Joanne Irwin suggests the situation will get "much worse" ahead of the next school year if pay parity is not restored.
TUI President Joanne Irwin says they’ve waited long enough for the pay equalisation issue to be resolved. They want better pay for young teachers. They’re protesting this lunchtime to highlight the issue. pic.twitter.com/1JPqoMRbQu
— Gail Conway (@Gailiana) February 1, 2018
She observed: "Teachers and lecturers who entered the system since 2011 are paid at a lower rate than their colleagues for carrying out the same work, and graduates who might formerly have chosen teaching are now choosing other employment options.
"Pay inequality has undermined the profession and corroded staff morale, leading to a crisis in the recruitment and retention of teachers."
She added: "This inevitably impairs the quality of service to students. Unless and until this is addressed, the crisis will deepen."
She noted that while union members voted for strike action, they would prefer to enter talks before any decision to 'ramp up' industrial action.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton last week announced a range of measures aimed at tackling the teacher shortage in both primary and secondary schools - including changes to the rules regarding career breaks for teachers.
