Teachers on strike: Education system risks total shutdown, warns TDs

Education Minister Richard Bruton has hit out at ASTI teachers for rejecting a “substantial” deal in favour of strike action as the pay dispute intensifies.

Fri, 28 Oct, 2016 - 01:00

Elaine Loughlin, Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, and Daniel McConnell

More than 500 of the country’s 735 second-level schools remained closed yesterday as the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) members held the first of seven strikes in a bid to fully restore pay for newly qualified teachers.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he is “very disappointed” at schools being closed on foot of “unnecessary action”by the ASTI.