Teachers in second level schools are employed by the authorities of the schools concerned. In the case of secondary, community and comprehensive schools, the relevant school authority notifies my Department of the names of new appointees so that their names can be included in the appropriate teachers payroll.
In the case of vocational teachers, the vocational education committee concerned noti fies my Department of the names of the teachers appointed. However, payment of the teachers is a matter for the VEC.
My Department does not have details of the number of qualified second level teachers who are leaving the profession to pursue other career options. Except in the case of a teacher retiring or a teacher going on approved leave – career break, secondments or study leave – school authorities are not required to indicate why a teacher is vacating his or her position in the school.