The Association of Secondary Teachers is due to meet officials from the Department of Education today to discuss the latest dispute between the two sides over supervision and substitution duties.

As preparation for discussions continue over the teacher's supervision issue, the Minister for Education is being called on this evening to clarify whether the Government was involved in a "reinterpretation" of union agreements.

Attempts to reach a solution over supervision in Irish schools will be made by the Government and teacher unions this week.

The ASTI says there will be no disruption to schools when students return in the coming weeks.

The ASTI has called for 2,000 part-time teachers to be made permanent.

Thousands of secondary school students appear to be destined for disruption, after talks between the teaching unions and the Minister for Education failed to reach agreement on supervision and substitution payments.

Last ditch talks between the education Minister Michael Woods and representatives of the ASTI have failed to bring about a resolution to the row over substitution and teaching.

Ireland’s three main teaching unions are to meet Education Minister Michael Woods later today ahead of planned industrial action by the ASTI next week.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said there is no reason for teachers to enter into industrial action.

The Department of Education has begun a major recruitment drive ahead of the ASTI’s next round of industrial action.

Primary school teachers are set to join secondary teachers on the picket lines if their salary claims are ignored by the Government.

The Teachers Union of Ireland has voted to reject the Government’s offer of £27 per hour for supervision and substitution duties.

ASTI members have voted to withdraw from voluntary supervision and substitution work.