Casualisation of teacher working hours to be examined

The Department of Education is set to examine the controversial “casualisation” of working hours for young teachers — which is forcing some to take up second jobs at night to cover their bills — after widespread outrage from the profession.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn confirmed the move during a media briefing at the Teachers’ Union of Ireland conference, admitting he is “aware of the problem and I’m very concerned about it”.

As reported in Wednesday’s Irish Examiner, young teachers are being forced to take up second jobs at night in McDonald’s, Lidl or filling stations because their day jobs are not paying them enough to survive.