The Irish Times view on the new incentive payment for young teachers: a sign of a wider problem

The decision of the Department of Education to offer a special incentive payment to new teachers reflects wider issues in the public service and across the economy. Unemployment remains close to record lows and labour shortages stretch across the State. The cost of housing is a key barrier, encouraging some young people to emigrate and making it more difficult for immigrants to come to Ireland.

The teaching profession is among those hit. To try to address problems in attracting and retaining young primary and second teachers, a ¤2,000 payment is to be offered, which will be made next summer to new recruits who sign up during the 2024/25 year.

It is a response to a shortage which has forced schools to scramble to maintain services and left some parts of the country short of places. A survey of more than 1,000 schools late last year by school management bodies found there were more than 800 vacant teaching posts across primary classes in the 2023/24 year.

It is a story repeated across the State, in business large and small and across the public and private sectors. It is in part a reflection of the resilience of Ireland’s jobs market, but also shows how the State is trying to run to catch in providing services to a population which has grown much more quickly than anticipated. Figures this week from the Central Statistics Office estimated that it had risen to 5.33 million people last year.

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Innovative methods – such as the €2,000 payment – can make a difference. But it is fundamental, long-term investment in service provision and staffing which is really needed. Across the health service, education and the social services – as well, of course, as housing –there is no quick route to fill the gaps, but there are the resources available to put in place a multi-year plan to expand capacity.

There are streategies in place, but delivery is vital and often too slow. And prioritisation is central. As the Government draws up its budget plans, it needs to consider that these are the issues which really matter to people’s lives, rather than short-term cash giveaways.