According to my Department's records, there are 556 teachers on secondment from primary, secondary and community/ comprehensive schools at present. Details of the number of vocational teachers on secondment are not readily available.
The teachers concerned are seconded to various bodies or programmes as follows: Department of Education and Sciences programmes; The Oireachtas; Training establishments / education centres / schools (including the European Schools); Government Departments; Management bodies / teacher unions / professional associations; Sporting organisations; Area Partnerships; Religious bodies; Educational agencies; Other projects / bodies. The minimum period for which a secondment may be granted is one school year.
In a case of a secondment to a programme approved by my Department for a period specified at the commencement of the programme, a secondment arrangement in excess of one school year may be agreed between the Board of Management and the teacher at the start of the secondment arrangement.
In cases other than those referred to above, where the seconding body/organisation requires the services of the teacher for a period longer than one school year, the period may be extended, subject to the written approval of both the Board of Management and my Department and subject to the appropriate maximum period of secondment as follows being adhered to: a maximum period of five school years for secondments to outside organisations; a maximum period of nine school years for secondments to European Schools; and a maximum period of ten school years for secondments to Department of Education and Science national approved programmes.
However, in the case of existing secondments to Department programmes where exigencies require an extension in excess of the ten school years, an extension may be considered subject to Board of Management and my Department's approval.