560 retired teachers were employed during the 2014/2015 school year for cover work.

According to the figures obtained by the Sunday Independent, that number is up on the previous year, despite instructions from the Department of Education that the priority should be given to newly qualified teachers.

It's also been revealed that many of these retirees are on public service pensions.

Deputy General Secretary of the ASTI Diarmuid De Paor says sometimes it's unavoidable to call on retired teachers but schools should give priority to new teachers: