At first glance, it appears to be a paradox: despite record numbers of qualified teachers working across the country, schools report increasingly severe challenges in filling vacancies. Almost all primary schools, for example, had to employ unqualified individuals without teaching qualifications as substitutes in the past year. At second level, one in five schools say they were forced to drop subjects due to teacher shortages. On Monday came confirmation of the scale of the issue: more than 1,800 teaching posts were left vacant across schools last March, according to Department of Education data, up from around 1,600 last November.
Yet, 79,000 qualified teachers were employed during the past academic year – the highest number on record. The pipeline of teaching graduates continues to be strong, with 3,700 newly qualified teachers registered last year. Teaching remains an attractive career choice, with high demand among CAO applicants for both primary and post-primary education courses.
So what is going on? At its heart, the teacher shortage is not just a workforce problem – it is a housing problem. It is no coincidence that most of the schools reporting serious recruitment difficulties are located in the capital and commuter belt areas, where accommodation is both scarce and prohibitively expensive. Young teachers, particularly those newly qualified and on the lower end of pay scales, are increasingly priced out of living near where they are needed most.
In response, Minister for Education Helen McEntee has extended temporary measures aimed at boosting teacher supply. These include allowing teachers to provide additional substitution cover and lifting restrictions for job-sharing teachers. Further measures are planned, such as faster access to permanent contracts for young teachers. While helpful, these are sticking plasters. They do not address the deeper issue: a chronic lack of affordable housing.
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The programme for government has pledged to build more affordable homes and to earmark cost-rental units for key public sector workers, including teachers. In theory, this would allow young professionals to live closer to their work. Progress, however, has been sluggish. The State missed its target for delivery of social housing delivery last year by nearly 20 per cent. While the number of cost-rental units doubled to over 1,200 last year, it remains a drop in the ocean.
Ultimately, teacher shortages will persist unless the Government takes decisive action to increase the supply of affordable housing. When children’s education is compromised – through cancelled classes, lost subjects and a lack of qualified staff – the cost is borne by the next generation. We must do better by our pupils. They deserve experienced teachers, consistent support and the full breadth of educational opportunity.
