Fine Gael social protection spokesperson, Senator for Galway West, Fidelma Healy Eames, has received confirmation from the Department of Education that newly qualified teachers who are struggling to find school placements in order to complete their probation, can use the FáS placement work programme to do so.

With almost daily calls from unemployed teachers and / or their parents, I am acutely aware of the demand for an opportunity of this kind. It offers a unique opportunity at this difficult time.

“With a growing number of newly qualified teachers joining the dole queue, the FáS placement programme can offer teachers up to nine months work experience which allows them to complete their probation and receive their teaching diploma qualification.

“I encourage all newly qualified teachers to avail of this programme as, with approximately 80 teachers applying for every one vacant teaching post, it is very difficult for them to find a way to complete their compulsory probation period.

“I am also urging schools across the country to register with FáS so that they can avail of the programme. It must be noted that this programme cannot be used as a method of displacing existing teaching posts or filling vacant jobs. Schools have been aware of this by circular from the Dept. This is a great opportunity for over-stretched schools to avail of additional resources to help alleviate pressure on class sizes and support the pupil-teacher ratio.

“I hope that this programme will alleviate some of the pressure on new teachers and on schools and I will continue to work with the Department of Education to introduce further solutions to the teaching jobs crisis that we are currently facing.”