900 teachers are not trained

NEARLY 900 unqualified teachers are working in Irish schools leading to fears children are receiving substandard education.

Figures have revealed that hundreds of untrained personnel are being allowed to “masquerade” as qualified teachers in classrooms, according to Fine Gael.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin has admitted she is “anxious” to reduce the number of unqualified teachers and plans to drive ahead with new rules, which will only allow schools use untrained staff “as an absolute last resort”.