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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 8

Written Answers. - Conditions of Employment.

Paul Bradford

Question:

244 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education her views on whether substitute and temporary teachers are working at a great disadvantage as regards holiday pay, pension rights, social welfare entitlements and other such entitlements; the proposals, if any, she has to improve the situation; the likely cost of such proposals, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

In the primary sector, the conditions of service of substitute teachers have improved substantially in recent years. The current daily rate is £60.22 for a qualified substitute compared to £38 in January 1990.

Due to the separate nature of the post-primary sector, my Department recoups schools the cost of substitute teachers in accordance with the Worker Protection (Regular Part-Time Employees) Act, 1991 which includes payment for leave and public holidays. In the case of a part-time teacher time-tabled for a minimum of 11 hours per week for the full school session, my Department generally sanctions an eligible part-time teacher contract. This allows for benefits in excess of the minimum amount under the Worker Protection legislation includingpro-rata payment for all school holidays.
Where possible, in the case of replacement of one year's duration, the Department sanctions the employment of a temporary incremental/whole-time teacher. She/he enjoys conditions very similar to her/his permanent colleagues. Common to both sectors, such service will reckon for incremental credit purposes and may also reckon for pension purposes.
In all of the above circumstances, the teachers are liable for class A1 PRSI contributions which entitles them to the full range of the social welfare benefits though this is ultimately a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare.
Discussions regarding changes in the conditions of service of temporary and substitute teachers are held on an ongoing basis between my Department, the various management bodies and the teacher representative associations.
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