national

30% wage cut for new teachers

Teachers who start working for the first time this week will be paid 30% less than colleagues who secured permanent jobs in 2010.

Newly appointed full-time teachers earned €39,000 in salary and allowances two years ago - but their counterparts starting work this week will only bring in €27,800.

The cuts are as a result of a review by the department of education of the €506m euro paid in allowances to teachers last year but those already teaching have escaped the cuts.