Teacher shortages are “going to get worse”, a member of the profession has predicted. 

Principals across the country have long complained they are struggling to fill vacancies, with many young teachers leaving Ireland for more lucrative pay and conditions in the Middle East or Australia. 

On Lunchtime Live, teacher Paul Cuddihy said it is now “really difficult to get people”. 

 “Today, on the education website, there's 177 vacancies for teachers at second level schools advertised, 71 for primary,” he said. 

“That's 248 vacant posts being advertised.” 

Mr Cuddihy added that unexpected resignations or leave is a particular problem. 

“School principals and deputy heads go out and when they know somebody's going out on leave for maybe medical reasons or maternity leave, they can plan for that,” he said. 

“But sometimes teachers get sick and it's unscheduled, that's where the school gets caught. 

“That's happening more and more and it's frustrating for students - particularly senior year students.” 

Mr Cuddihy continued that the problem is especially acute in Dublin, where many young teachers struggle with the cost of living. 

“It's going to get worse,” he predicted. 

“Unless you put in the version of what they had in England with the London weighting, which you pay people more to get them to work as nurses and teachers, in places like Dublin. 

“Or improve the public transport, put in high speed rail. 

“This isn't a problem you're going to fix tonight, but we've got to plan for it.”

Main image: A teacher with children. Picture by: Alamy.com.