Finding a job is proving difficult for many graduate teachers in Ireland, the latest Department of Education figures have shown.

It has emerged these young professionals are struggling to kick-start their career while retired teachers are being re-hired in primary schools on long-term contracts, the Irish Independent reports.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn had earlier promised to put an end to such practices - but the new findings revealed 22 of 104 retired primary teachers back in schools were committed to long-term contracts in December 2012.

The remaining 82 individuals were being used as substitute teachers in primary schools during this time.

These findings have been criticised by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), which said it was indefensible for so many retired teachers to be on such lengthy contracts.

Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the INTO, noted that while using an experienced teacher is justifiable in some cases, it is unacceptable that the approach is taken on such a wide scale. 

Written by Donal Walsh

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