Teachers focus on pay and pensions at congress
The number one item on the agenda at the INTO conference is the take home pay of teachers.
Union leaders meeting in Killarney from today say they want a commitment in the Haddington Rd agreement for the restoration of pay cuts to be respected, if the economy continues to recover.
They are also calling for the phasing out of the pension levy.
Primary teachers are also concerned about resources for small schools - especially the number of teachers.
Eight Irish schools have only one teacher, and the INTO is warning more schools are likely to follow.
"We want to have a conversation with the minister about proper planning of sustainable school in rural areas," said Sheila Nunan, INTO General Secretary.
There's huge uncertainty and a lot of distress in the communities about the future of their schools."
