asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that many primary school teachers who gave service as substitutes, or in other temporary capacities, suffer serious monetary loss because such broken periods of service are not recognised for incremental purposes; and, if so, whether he proposes to remedy the position with retrospective effect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Temporary Teaching Service.
Under an amendment to the Department's rules, which was promulgated last year, incremental credit is allowed as from the 1st January, 1947, for such service as substitute or supernumerary teacher as is reckonable under the rules as part of the two-year probationary period. By virtue of this amendment it is hoped that most national teachers may be enabled to earn incremental credit for service as substitute or supernumerary teacher while they are awaiting appointment in a substantive capacity.
It would not be feasible to allow incremental credit for all service as substitute which a teacher might give, as there are many factors of an administrative nature to be taken into consideration. I am, however, having the matter investigated for the purpose of ascertaining whether it may be practicable to make some additional amendment of the rule which would have the effect of giving further incremental credit to those who serve as substitutes for teachers absent from school duties in circumstances which render such absences likely to be for prolonged periods. I cannot, at this stage, say whether such amendment may be found feasible.
As regards the Deputy's reference to service as teacher in a temporary capacity other than as substitute I should like to make it clear that such service given by qualified teachers and for which salary is paid to the teachers directly by the Department is reckoned as incremental service provided that the rules governing such service are otherwise fulfilled.