Primary schools across the country are facing staffing and financial challenges and some may need a bailout in the New Year
The Irish Primary Principals' Network's annual conference has heard that urgent action is now needed to plug the funding gaps suffered in many schools.
Rising inflation has been fuelling the problem, with escalating energy bills and the cost of living crisis also eroding into school budgets
Edel Polly of the Cork branch of the Irish National Teachers Organisation told RedFM News the shortage of sub teachers is starting to bite
"The current shortfall of teaching posts at primary and special schools in Ireland is huge. The survey indicated that 2000 groups of primary school children in Ireland won't have a teaching post available for the best part of this school year. And in my years of teaching, I've never come across such a shortage"
