Principals concern that teachers will just resign if they refuse career breaks

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There's a growing belief that school principals are not in a position to turn down career breaks.

That's according to one principal in Dublin, who claims if he was to refuse a career break to a teacher, then they'd just resign the position anyway.

Schools in Ireland are facing competition from overseas, with housing supply and cost proving to be a challenge in recruitment and retention of staff.

Principal of St. Laurence O'Toole's CBS in Dublin, Mark Candon, says there is demand for teachers here from the likes of the UAE and Australia:

"I don't think it's an option for principals to be denying career breaks because I think the way the market is right now, and the way the overseas market is, they're just saying 'well look, I'll resign the position, I'll take my chances and if I am returning to Ireland I'll see what's available'"

"Somebody who resigned a position two or three years ago because someone wouldn't give them a career break, who's coming back to Ireland now, I'll grab them in a minute"