Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

482 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements, if any, made within his Department to assist schools in the recruitment of temporary teachers; if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing difficulties in many areas in attracting teachers for very short periods; if he has satisfied himself that his Department's approach is flexible enough to deal with individual cases where exceptional circumstances prevail and where there is a very real threat to the filling of a vacant post; if he has further satisfied himself that his Department has been sufficiently supportive and flexible in its approach to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 which has such recruitment difficulties; and if he will address the specific matter in this school and the general issue of recruitment problems as a matter of urgency. [18251/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Teachers in primary schools are appointed and employed by the managerial authority of the school. In the event that the managerial authority of a primary school is unable to obtain the services of a fully qualified teacher at a particular time, it may appoint a person who is not fully trained in a temporary capacity. The managerial authority must continue to make every effort to obtain the services of a fully qualified person including re-advertising a post.

A range of initiatives to assist managerial bodies in recruiting teachers has been introduced by this Government.

B.Ed graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification are now recognised as fully qualified.

Since September 1998, all primary degree holders who hold the higher diploma in education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers and in the current academic year those with grade C in honours Irish at the leaving certificate are paid at the trained rate when employed in a temporary capacity.

Primary degree holders who hold the diploma in education but do not have grade C in honours Irish at the leaving certificate, who commence employment after 1 April 2000, are paid at the trained rate for up to 14 weeks.

Teachers trained in EU countries employed in primary schools are now remunerated at the trained rate pending their obtaining the necessary competence in the Irish language. EU trained teachers previously had to acquire the necessary competence in the Irish language within three years of their first appointment to a primary school. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that EU trained teachers now have up to five years to obtain the necessary competence in the language.

Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dún Laoghaire, which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards, are also recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers.

The decision to recognise fully qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification is also contributing to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers.

In connection with the particular teacher mentioned by the Deputy, I wish to clarify the position as follows.

Substitute teachers are employed when a teacher is absent on paid sick leave or maternity leave, whereas temporary teachers are employed when a teacher takes unpaid leave of absence.

Unfortunately, I cannot make an exception in the case of this teacher and allow her to be employed in a temporary capacity for the duration of the entire period.