Latest: Teacher with 23 years experience does not want children to follow in footsteps amid pay dispute
A teacher with 23 years experience says he would not want his children to follow in his footsteps.
This lunchtime, teachers across the country are protesting over pay inequality.
The Teachers Union of Ireland says low pay is a turn off for young teachers who are instead opting to work abroad or enter industry jobs.
Assistant General Secretary and Physics and Maths Teacher Michael Gillespie says the teaching system is unattractive now compared to when he entered the profession.
He said: "I was able to do everything I wanted to do, I don't have the same pressures as a new teacher.
"Would I recommend it to my children, I'd have to say no because of the way I see young teachers struggling with workload and money.
"You would have to say there are better choices out there as a parent trying to look after your child."
Teachers are holding a nationwide lunchtime protest today at schools and colleges around the country.
The action by the Teachers Union of Ireland is in protest at lower pay rates for newly qualified teachers.
The union claims pay inequality in the profession means schools are finding it hard to recruit new teachers.
TUI President Joanne Irwin says the union members voted for strike action, but they would prefer to enter talks.
She said: "We do have a mandate, we have also said to all TDs and politicians that would speak to us that we see a negotiated resolution to this.
"We would hope that they would see that also but we need a fair and sustainable resolution to this issue or we will have to consider ramping up the industrial action."
The union also says there are real difficulties recruiting new teachers for second level subjects like languages, maths and science.
