Irish Examiner view: Cutting back on degree duration may have unintended effects 

We should think twice about any measures that could lessen Ireland's reputation as being particularly well-educated 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin's suggestion that a shorter teaching MA course would suffice could have the unintended result of lessening the reputation of the entire education system. File picture: David Young/PA 

The problems faced by schools all over Ireland in filling teaching posts has not ended simply because children are back at school.

The teacher shortage has several causes — the cost of accommodation in the capital is putting pressure on schools in Dublin to fill posts, for instance, while the Tánaiste identified another earlier this week.