Eamon is a retired teacher based in the region and he says teachers come back from career breaks refreshed and enthusiastic.

Evidence has shown children learn better in smaller groups, particularly students with additional needs.

Mairin O' Keefe says a lot of her fellow teachers are taking early retirement

Teachers unions are holding their annual conferences this week with the issue of pay and retention of workers in the sector high on the agenda

The incident took place yesterday afternoon.

Tributes are being paid to the woman who died in a crash in Athlone town yesterday afternoon. She has been named locally as Sr Bernard