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	Leaders of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland union&nbsp;are due to meet officials at the Department of Education today ahead of planned strike action in protest over pay and conditions.</p>
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	The first of seven days of strike action is due to begin next week, Thursday&nbsp;27 October.</p>
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	Today&#39;s talks are aimed at averting industrial action, which could potentially see hundreds of schools close over the coming weeks.</p>
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	In addition to seven days of strikes between next week and December, ASTI members plan to stop supervision and substitution duties from Monday 7 November.</p>
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	This move is likely to close hundreds of schools indefinitely.</p>
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	In an effort to avert this crisis, secondary schools are to advertise for supervisors in national papers.</p>
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	Parents will also receive application forms in the post.</p>
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	However, the Department of Education has already said it could take up to nine weeks to get personnel in place.</p>
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	Applicants will have to be trained and garda vetted, and there is currently a backlog in garda vetting applications.</p>
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	(Published by RTE.ie on the 19th October 2016)</p>
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	<a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1019/825172-teachers-strike-asti/">http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1019/825172-teachers-strike-asti/</a></div>
