Vol. 416 No. 3
83 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the ruling in respect of the employment of substitute teachers for permanent whole-time primary teachers; and whether the substitutes so employed must be qualified and trained national teachers even where short periods of substitute work is involved.
Substitutes are required to be employed for: (1) teachers absent owing to illness, after the third day of absence; (2) teachers absent on maternity leave; (3) teachers attending approved courses or absent for certain other approved reasons; and (4) teachers absent on jury service.
Substitute teachers are required to be qualified under the rules for national schools. Where it is impossible to obtain a qualified substitute, which would invariably only arise for short term absences, the services of a person who though not qualified under the rules is otherwise deemed suitable may be accepted.
