The Government has “torn the heart out of the teaching profession”, leading to severe shortages in classrooms. 

That’s according to Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) General Secretary John Boyle following reports of a massive teacher shortage in primary schools. 

The survey found that 809 teaching positions in primary schools were unfilled 25 days into the school year. 

Mr Boyle told The Hard Shoulder schools predict there will be an additional 1,200 vacancies within the next three months. 

“I've been in this game for 35 years and in my life, I never came across a situation where 2,000 groups of children in Irish primary and special schools could not be guaranteed a teacher for the year,” he said. 

“I'd say the parents of Ireland are going to be up in arms about this if they're being affected... I don't think they're half as worried about mobile phone use at schools.” 

Mr Boyle said the problem is particularly pronounced in Dublin – particularly DEIS areas - Louth, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare. 

“They are rent pressure areas,” Mr Boyle said. “So that is certainly a factor – the cost of housing. 

“But in our view, it's the way that [the Government] tore the heart out of the teaching profession between 2009 and 2012. 

“It’s coming to roost now.” 

Lack of incentives

Mr Boyle explained many incentives and chances of career growth among teachers were removed during the economic crash and have not been reinstated. 

“Up until 2012, you got €2,000 when you had your diploma if you were prepared to work in a special school,” he said. 

“It's no coincidence that these are some of the schools that are suffering the most.” 

He said teachers can expect a salary of €75,000 when they’re 50 years old. 

“That's a good salary to some, but when you think about it, you have no possibility whatsoever of a promotion, unless you become a principal or deputy,” he said. 

“We're still down 2,500 assistant principals that the Government wouldn't give us back on Budget Day.” 

'They're leaving the country'

Mr Boyle said teachers aren’t “hanging around, waiting for the phone to ring in rural Ireland to get a job”. 

“They're moving out of this country,” he said. 

“They are working abroad where they’re valued, where they can get promotional posts in a school, they can get some incentives.” 

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