IPPN

Published: 24 October 2024

There was a higher response rate to this year’s survey - 1094 respondents in 2023; 1305 in 2024. Sincere thanks to the school leaders who provided key information.

Overall, the results show that teacher supply remains a very challenging issue for primary schools and is causing significant stress to school leaders.

• 76% of school leaders stated that their experience in recruiting and retaining staff this year was stressful (somewhat – 43%, extremely 33%)
• Compared to last year, 48% said the experience was the same this year, 16% that it was less stressful and 35% that it was more stressful.

Almost the same percentage reported having filled all vacancies (71.3%) in 2024 vs 788 of 1094 (72%) in 2023.

IPPN remains very concerned about the number of schools experiencing significant challenge. As in 2023, it is predominantly an issue in the wider Dublin region, in special schools and in Gaelscoileanna.

IPPN calls on the Department to urgently review all proposals with a view to implementing short-, medium- and long-term solutions to resolve the ongoing problems with teacher supply.

IPPN will continue to engage with INTO, CPSMA and all stakeholders on this critical issue.

View IPPN’s working paper on teacher supply, updated in August 2024.