Parents could be brought in keep secondary schools open after teachers voted to strike.
The ASTI, which represents 18,000 teachers, has announced it will hold 7-days of strike action on dates in October, November and December.
The union has also decided to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties from the 7th of November.
The Irish Times is reporting that Department Officials are considering hiring parents and members of the public to become supervisors for a fee of €38 a day.
However, it is thought likely that most schools will not have enough time to vet and recruit them.
ASTI President Ed Byrne says that is a matter for Richard Bruton: