Primary school teachers say they will not accept anything less from the ongoing public pay talks than a return to equal pay.

Around 300 teachers took to the streets of Dublin this evening to call for pay restoration, holding a demonstration outside Leinster House.

Teachers who qualified after 2011 are still on lower salaries than their colleagues.

These teachers claim that they stand to lose around €100,000 over the course of their careers if the situation does not change.

Joanne McAndrew - who qualified in 2011, and teaches at Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School in Dublin - observed: "If they can afford to restore their own pay, I think they need to prioritise equality of pay - because that's what should come first."

Speaking ahead of this afternoon's protest, Eddie Conlon of the TUI Grassroots group observed: “Those in at the talks need to get a message that teachers and lecturers will not accept any deal that does not deliver equal pay for new entrants.

"The TUI has adopted a position that it will ballot members for industrial action in October if equal pay is not delivered.”

Talks between the Government and public sector unions got underway last week.

Those involved have been given a deadline of this Friday to reach an agreement, but Bernard Harbour of IMPACT said last week that it will not be a 'disaster' if talks continue past that date.

Additional reporting by Nicole Gernon