Vol. 517 No. 1
185 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason so many teachers are in part-time and temporary posts at second level; the saving to his Department by not giving permanent status; and the plans, if any, he has to introduce a policy that would ensure greater stability for teachers in their career who currently face uncertainty in such posts. [9251/00]
Non-permanent teaching appointments in second level schools arise generally as a result of the replacement of the holders of permanent teaching posts who are on leave of absence; the requirement that the number of permanent teachers employed by individual vocational education committees and community-comprehensive schools may not exceed 95% of their initial teacher allocation; and the allocation of additional temporary teaching resources to the authorities of individual schools to cater for particular circumstances in those schools.
I wish to inform the Deputy that, in accordance with the provisions of the PCW agreement on teachers' pay and conditions in 1997, my Department agreed to an increase in the number of permanent appointments which can be made in VEC and community-comprehensive schools thereby reducing the number of non-permanent teachers employed in those schools.
The Deputy will be aware that the creation of an additional 800 second level posts in the next school year was announced in December last. In addition, a further 200 posts will be created in accordance with the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. While a final decision on the actual allocation of these posts has not yet been taken, it is anticipated that very many of these posts will be filled in a permanent capacity.
Teachers employed in a temporary wholetime capacity are paid at the appropriate point on the common basic salary scale for teachers. Eligible Part-time teachers are paid pro rata their wholetime colleagues. Part-time teachers are paid at the appropriate hourly rate, currently £17.40 per hour.
