Members of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) will today (4.15pm, Tuesday, 19th March) protest outside the offices of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) at Belgard Sq East, Tallaght over the decision to change the pay date of teachers from a bimonthly to a monthly one. The change discriminates against those teachers who struggle to survive financially on substitute or casual hours. Teachers employed by the majority of other ETBs (and those teachers in the Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive sectors) do not have to wait longer than 14 days to get paid for a day’s work. Speaking today, TUI Assistant General Secretary Michael Gillespie said: ‘Teacher shortages across a range of subjects at second level have been well documented. For this reason, it is vitally important that every effort be made to keep the profession attractive.   The decision of DDLETB to change the pay date for teachers from a bimonthly to a monthly one makes the lives of those who do not enjoy full hours or secure contracts (many of them in the early stages of their careers) more difficult and will ultimately make the profession less attractive. Substitute teachers or those on casual hours are the most vulnerable working in Irish schools. The hours they work in any given period can vary significantly, so it is of vital importance that a system where they do not have to wait longer than 14 days for payment is maintained in order that they can meet their most basic financial commitments such as paying rent or putting food on the table.

TUI welcomes the commitment of the Minister for Education and Skills today to continuing engagement with the teacher unions on the issue of ‘new entrant’ teachers’ pay. Progress has been made, but more needs to be done to end the scandal of pay discrimination. Specifically, the following measures are required: