Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Derek McDowell

Question:

70 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and percentage of teaching posts in the post-primary schools sector which are temporary; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some cases this is leading to recruitment difficulties; his views on whether large numbers of teachers in such insecure positions are acceptable; and the proposals he has to create more permanent posts in post-primary schools. [17124/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There are more than 24,000 whole-time teacher equivalent posts allocated to second level schools in the current school year. The vast majority of the posts are filled on a permanent whole-time basis. According to records in my Department, approximately 1,500 teachers are employed in a temporary whole-time capacity and 2,000 teachers are employed in eligible part-time positions in the second level school sector.

I am aware of certain difficulties of schools in the recruitment of teachers in specific subject areas. The level of difficulty varies by location, subject combinations and the tenure of the post available. While principals have reported difficulties in recruitment in certain areas, my Department is not aware of any second level school that has not filled its approved teacher allocation for the current year.

Vacancies in schools arising from career breaks, approved leave of absence or secondments and concessionary posts, which are allocated in excess of a school's normal quota of posts, may only be filled in a temporary or part-time capacity. In addition, to ensure that schools have the flexibility to meet the curricular needs of their students, particularly in minority subject areas, it is necessary for them to appoint temporary or part-time teachers.

Under the terms of the EPT scheme, EPTs who are fully qualified and have given satisfactory service are re-employed on a contract basis from year to year where the same teaching hours are required. Most teachers initially employed as EPTs subsequently apply for and are appointed to permanent teaching posts in their subject areas. They are entitled to incremental and pension credits for their qualified EPT service, together with recognition of this service for promotion purposes.

A number of measures have been taken in recent years to address the job security of temporary teachers. The PCW agreement on the pay and conditions of teachers provided for the conversion of posts from temporary to permanent status and for an increase in the number of allocated posts which school authorities may fill on a permanent basis. The agreement also provided for the establishment of a qualifications committee to determine suitable qualifications for appointments to permanent teaching posts in vocational preparation and training courses. This committee has recently agreed qualifications and experience requirements in the areas of beauty therapy, hairdressing, veterinary studies and arts administration. This will enable teachers with these qualifications to be appointed in a fully qualified capacity and apply for suitable perma nent posts. The work of this committee is continuing.

The Irish language requirement has been removed for general teaching posts at second level. This has enabled teachers, who were previously regarded as ineligible, to apply for temporary or permanent teaching posts.

A review of the EPT scheme for VEC teachers has recently been carried out, and improved arrangements in regard to EPT contracts have been agreed. Vocational education committees now have the option of allocating EPT hours over more than one school and EPTs whose hours fall below the threshold, 11 hours per week, required for a contract will be offered any residual hours that may be available.

The job security of temporary teachers is also related to the number and type of posts available. In this regard, the position at second level has significantly improved in recent years. In 1999, 225 additional posts were created. In the current school year, 1,000 additional posts were created and a further 400 new posts will be created over the next two years in accordance with the terms of the programme for prosperity and fairness.