Last week, teachers voted in favour of a motion calling for the abolition of the Croke Park hours. Under the Public Sector Agreement 2010-2014, also known as the Croke Park agreement, teachers are required to work an additional 33 hours per annum

Cork-based ASTI standing committee executive member said he can see the advantages have having one single union 'with the strength of the whole of second level behind it.'

A motion, which was ed by the congress on Tuesday, found that the workload and expectations placed upon principal teachers are “unreasonably demanding”.

The incoming INTO vice president, Cork's Ann Horan, said 'change cannot occur unless it is financed'. 

An INTO survey found that the vast majority of respondents working in special schools reported experiencing physical aggression 

Addressing the INTO conference in Killarney this week, Mr Driscoll said teachers are overburdened with paperwork, competing for limited resources in overcrowded classrooms, and being offered unattractive salaries.

The lack of investment in the Irish education system at all levels and in all sectors must be reversed,” he said.

Former ASTI President Ann Piggott was speaking at the union's 100th annual Convention, which is being held in Cork’s Clayton Hotel Silver Springs and was today attended by Minister for Education Norma Foley.

Opening the union's annual congress, the Haulbowline native said that the recent increase in inflation has led to a serious erosion in the standard of living and must be addressed urgently.