The new Education Minister is set to receive a frosty reception when she addresses national school teachers in Galway today.

Delegates attending the Irish National Teachers Organisation conference are expected to use the event to express their anger to Mary Coughlan – over the Budget pay cuts.

An emergency motion calling on members to reject the new public sector pay and reform deal will be debated at the convention this morning.

But the INTO Executive is recommending that members accept the deal.

Meanwhile, secondary school teachers will be debating classroom cutbacks when they convene also in Galway later today.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland will also discuss the loss of around 1200 special needs assistants and the impact it is having on pupils who they say need them to reach their full potential.

The newly appointed Education Minister and Tanaiste Mary Coughlan will not be addressing the ASTI’s conference which will also debate the deal on pay and reform in the public sector.