Ned O'Keeffe
Question:337 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the teacher allocation for a school (details supplied) in County Cork to enable chemistry to be included on the curriculum. [18042/01]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
The teacher allocation in the vocational sector is made on an overall vocational education scheme basis. The teacher allocation to a VEC for a particular school year is determined by the combined enrolment in all of the schools within its scheme at the end of the preceding September, having regard to the current pupil teacher ratio and approved ex quota posts.
It is a matter for each VEC to plan and provide an appropriate curriculum to meet overall pupil needs and to allocate teaching resources to individual schools in the scheme from within its approved teacher allocation.
County Cork VEC has been granted its normal teacher allocation entitlement for 2001-02. In addition, my Department, following consideration of an appeal made by the VEC, approved a further allocation as a curricular concession.
Michael Noonan
Question:338 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concern among young teachers at the high incidence of part-time or temporary whole-time posts in post-primary schools; the plans he has to create additional permanent posts to be filled by teachers already employed part-time or on a temporary basis in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18146/01]
There are more than 24,000 whole-time teacher equivalent posts allocated to second level schools in the current school year. The 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.
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 be filled only 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 eligible part-time teacher, 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 who are initially employed as EPTs subsequently apply for and are appointed to permanent teaching posts in their subject area. They are entitled to incremental and pension credit for their qualified EPT service, together with recognition of this service for promotion purposes.
Measures have been taken over the past number of years to address the job security of temporary teachers. The PCW agreement on the pay and conditions of teachers provided for the conversion, on a once-off basis, of certain 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 permanent posts. The work of this committee is continuing.
The Irish language requirement has been removed for the generality of 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 which 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.