Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has demanded answers after it was revealed primary schools across the country are continuing to employ retired teachers over graduates.

A freedom of information request by the Irish Independent discovered 237 instances of retired teachers employed on a temporary basis between the start of term last September and the mid-term break in October.

In that time, one primary school employed 51 former teachers, though the Department of Education refused to disclose the names of the schools involved.

The department issued a directive in 2011 that outlined rules regarding the employment of retirees and unqualified teachers.

It is argued that some schools are required to turn to retired teachers because of a lack of graduates in certain areas of the country. Principals argue it is impractical and too expensive for newly qualified teachers to travel for some jobs.

General secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation Sheila Nunan said it is "indefensible" to hire retired teachers for prolonged periods of time, given that 1,800 people qualify as primary teachers each year - three times the number that found full-time employment in 2012.

Written by Donal Walsh.

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