The Education Minister says schools shouldn't be granting career breaks if they can't plug the gap.
He's told primary school principals at a conference in Dublin today to look at staffing levels first.
The Teachers Union of Ireland has slammed the move, saying restrictions would make the profession less attractive.
Some teachers have been criticised for using the break to head to places like Dubai to save up money for deposits.
Minister Richard Bruton says the time off is supposed to be for taking up education or caring:
