Over 1800 teaching positions remain unfilled in the midst of a perceived shortage, posing challenges for the upcoming academic year.
The Greater Dublin Area schools are grappling with a persistent teacher shortage, with over 1,800 vacant teaching posts as of March this year [1][3]. The high cost of living and housing crisis in these urban areas are identified as the primary culprits, significantly impacting the ability to hire teachers [1][3].
The cost-of-living crisis and soaring rents are key barriers to recruitment, particularly in primary schools where around 1,228 out of 1,800 unfilled posts remain vacant [1]. Additionally, unsustainable workloads contribute to the recruitment challenges, making it difficult to attract and retain teachers in deprived and high-cost areas [1].
The housing affordability crisis and rising cost-of-living are central to the teacher supply crisis in the Greater Dublin Area, making teaching less financially viable for many and worsening recruitment, particularly in deprived areas facing the greatest pressure [1][3].
This teacher shortage has led to a significant number of vacant posts ahead of the new school term, with the government criticized for insufficient action on measures such as the delayed ‘Timebound Provision’ to address the shortage [1][3][4].
It's important to note that the hiring difficulties are not uniform across all schools in the Greater Dublin Area, with schools in more deprived areas being more affected [2][3]. The struggle to hire teachers is particularly prominent in these schools [2].
Principals have reported that the hiring difficulties are still escalating in the run-up to the new academic year [3]. The Department of Education found 17 more vacant teaching posts in March of this year, totaling 1,847 across schools [1].
The housing crisis is a significant factor in the difficulty of finding teachers in and around the capital, exacerbating the already challenging recruitment process [2]. Many schools in the Greater Dublin Area are experiencing difficulties in hiring qualified staff [2].
In conclusion, the housing affordability crisis and rising cost-of-living are at the heart of the teacher supply crisis in the Greater Dublin Area, making it difficult for many to consider a career in teaching and worsening recruitment, particularly in deprived areas facing the greatest pressure. The government is under pressure to address these issues and implement measures to alleviate the teacher shortage ahead of the new academic year.
Personal-finance concerns, such as the cost-of-living and housing affordability, are hindering teacher recruitment, especially in deprived areas of the Greater Dublin Area where there's a significant teacher shortage [1][2]. This financial strain is also impacting the ability to attract and retain teachers, making education and self-development in the form of a teaching career less appealing [1].
