A series of strikes by primary teachers in up to 100 schools around the country has been averted following a meeting of the executive of the Irish National Teachers' Association last night.
The executive met to consider new proposals put forward by the Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, to resolve the dispute over plans to redeploy primary teachers. The two day strikes had been due to commence from next Monday but strike action was withdrawn following the acceptance of the Minister's new terms.
Several hundred teachers will become surplus this year because of the fall of 11,000 in primary school enrolments.
Under the terms accepted, two thirds of schools which were to have lost teachers will now retain their staff.