Vol. 498 No. 3
164 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has, in relation to payment for substitute teachers in view of the fact they do not get paid for the Christmas holiday period to ensure that arrears of payment arising from the new payment arrangements are made in full before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27086/98]
A scheme of holiday pay for substitute teachers, which includes provision for payment in respect of public holidays, is in place since September 1997.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to pay arrears of salary to recognised substitute teachers before the end of the current calendar year because of the very substantial volume of current claims being presented for payment. However, every effort will be made to ensure that those substitute teachers who have had their qualifications verified will be paid by reference to the trained substitute teacher salary scale with effect from 14 December 1998.
