The population of Ireland could increase to almost 7m in 33 years.
Ireland has been poor at long term planning for education.
That's the view of the General Secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland, Tullamore's Michael Gillespie, as CSO figures show the Irish population could grow to just below 7m by 2057.
He says our schools are lacking in spare spaces in the event they will be needed, for example by Ukrainian refugees, and we will also need to look at making the average class size smaller, and more in line with the rest of Europe.
Mr. Gillespie says this lack for forward planning has contributed to the recruitment and retention crisis in teaching:
Offaly Prize Bonds Holder Wins €500k
BNM Workshop Reunion Taking Place In Offaly Tomorrow
ICTU Reminds Employees Of The Right To Disconnect
Laois Town To Host Famine Commemoration Event
Plans For Billion Euro Data Centre In Westmeath Face New Appeal
Westmeath Councillor Advocates For More Remote Working Hubs
Midlands Homelessness On The Rise
Hundreds Without Power In Westmeath
Westmeath Domestic Abuse Support Service Reports Rise In Cases
Laois TD Highlights GP Gap
Call Made For 'Cost Of Disability Payment' in Budget 2027
Offaly Coffee Shop Listed Among Top 100 In Europe
Man To Stand Trial Over Midlands Tasering Accusation
Another Report Underlines Midlands House Price Inflation
Midlands Braced For Severe Thunderstorms
Sustainable Livestock Village Programme Launched For Tullamore Show
Offaly Woman Named National Carer Of The Year
Plans Lodged For 40 Year Solar Farm Development In Offaly
Midlands MEP Hosts Online Safety Initiative In Brussels
Oireachtas Report Highlights Planning And Infrastructure Reform Needs