Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
267. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider introducing a teacher exchange scheme for secondary school teachers to include those working within the vocational education committee system similar to that currently available to primary school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18556/13]
View answer268. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the teacher exchange scheme which previously was available to secondary school teachers was discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18563/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
My Department currently operates a number of exchange or re-deployment schemes for teachers. At Primary level a teacher exchange scheme exists whereby a teacher may voluntarily exchange with a teacher in any other school. The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.
Within the redeployment arrangements at primary level there is provision for the most junior surplus permanent/CID holding teacher due to be placed on the panel to seek to be replaced on the redeployment panel by an alternative permanent/CID holding teacher in the school interested in going on the redeployment panel. If more than one permanent/CID holding teacher applies to be placed on the redeployment panel in place of the most junior permanent/CID holding teacher, the Board of Management will consider all applications from permanent/CID holding teachers. Where a Board of Management decides that the most junior permanent/CID holding teacher can be replaced on the panel, it will determine which applicant senior permanent/CID holding teacher is to replace the most junior permanent/CID holding teacher. The final decision to admit a teacher to a panel rests with the Patron.
Redeployment arrangements for surplus post-primary teachers were introduced as part of the implementation of particular aspects of the Croke Park Agreement. The parties identified that voluntary movement, if provided for, could assist the operation of the main redeployment arrangements. A pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is currently in operation to assist in the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers in the Sligo area. This scheme is confined to schools in close proximity to the surplus schools in Sligo. This pilot scheme will operate only for redeployment in 2013.
The above schemes are agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is composed of representatives from Teachers, School Management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission. Any proposals by any of the Education partners to expand the above schemes should, in the first instance, be raised at this Council.
