€500,000 in teachers’ pay for politicians

TAXPAYERS have paid almost €500,000 to 20 TDs and senators for being on leave of absence from teaching, on top of their Oireachtas salaries, in the last five years.

The figures have been released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Department of Education, at a time when Education Minister Noel Dempsey has ordered numerous spending reviews.

There are strong fears of cuts next year in teaching posts, particularly for staff helping children with disabilities. Hundreds of schools seek funding for buildings and the Government is being urged to spend millions next year to cut pupil absenteeism.