Teachers should have the option of providing after-school care for students at primary level.

That is according to a group representing principals in the sector.

The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has been responding to reports that the Government is preparing a low-cost scheme for supervised play and homework clubs.

The Irish Independent also reports that the after-school care proposals are expected to form part of pay talks with teacher unions later this year.

However the idea would need to have the approval of teachers, principals, management and parents groups before being implemented.

IPPN's President Brendan McCabe has welcomed the idea, and says it should be open to teachers who want to earn some extra money.

He spoke to Pat Kenny this morning, starting by saying parents are currently paying 'exorbitant amounts' for childcare, and that anything that can be done to help them must be done:

Chair and Director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre Pat Dolan spoke to Lunchtime about the idea, and he said overall he thinks it is a good idea that could benefit parents and children.

However he added that it would be important that it was implemented correctly:

Originally posted at 11.07am