'Red tape hindering teachers' development'
A row has broken out between the Public Spending Minister Brendan Howlin and teaching unions.
It follows comments Minister Howlin made about getting rid of poor performers in the public sector.
He said an evaluation of performance is needed among public sector workers and where there is no performance, there needs to be consequences.
Secondary School Teacher of the Year, Evelyn O'Connor, has said red tape across the sector can be blamed for the lack of new skill sets among teachers.
Ms O'Connor said: "I have been asked to do a couple of in-services for teachers in different education centres and a lot of them are saying 'we would love to know more about this' and 'how do we find out more?' and 'where do we get these skills?', there is just a frustration.
"Instead of using our time constructively to become better at what we do, we have to sit in rooms and fill in forms."
