The protest rally by about 2,000 teachers outside Leinster House yesterday raises many issues. The three main teacher unions — the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland, and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland — were remonstrating against educational cuts.

The pay of Irish teachers has been among the worst hit by cuts to education systems across 34 countries, the European Commission has reported.

New teachers will pay more to the pension scheme in contributions than they will receive from it in benefits, it was claimed today.

REVISED supports for new teachers have been described by a union leader as watering down existing help to save Government funding.

The INTO has voted to accept the Croke Park deal.

THE country’s female-dominated primary teaching profession will have a woman as its most senior union official next year.

THE two largest teacher unions are set to fill senior management vacancies in the coming weeks.