Members of the INTO have backed the move for extra pay for Dublin teachers this week.
Teachers are calling on the government to introduce a 'Dublin Allowance'.
On top of their salary, primary teachers in Dublin would be entitled to extra pay to deal with higher living costs.
Three teaching unions are holding conferences this week.
The INTO, which represents Irish primary school teachers, say the cost of living has dominated talks.
John Boyle, General Secretary of the Union, gives one example of a hard-pressed teacher in the capital:
"There's a young teacher this morning, from Dublin, who says she can't afford to stay in Dublin," he said.
"She doesn't want to have to live for the rest of her life and work out of a box room in her bedroom in her parents' home."
“I can’t live and work in my childhood bedroom for the rest of my life, it’d be unfair on my parents.”— Dublin teacher on why she’s emigrating to Brussels. We need solutions now to stop the brain drain. @Independent_ie https://t.co/6lXG31dCV9
— INTO (Irish National Teachers' Organisation) (@INTOnews) April 13, 2023
The 'Dublin Allowance' would be similar to the weighting allowance as seen in London in the UK.
John says it's particularly concerning for students with special needs and schools with fewer resources:
"We're really, really, deeply concerned about disadvantaged areas and special schools."
"Especially having the continuity of learning to have their own qualified teacher every day is really, really key."
Reports suggest the government have played down talks of a 'Dublin Allowance' but haven't ruled it out.
In addition, it's expected talks on a public sector pay deal will start before the summer.
