Teacher Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (95)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

95. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a statement by the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland's general secretary (details supplied) that the difficulties facing newly qualified teachers in securing permanent positions is impacting on the quality of the State's education service; and if he will consider the establishment of a panel system of entry to second level teaching which would provide some form of employment security for teachers. [25403/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The revised proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission for the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2016 contain a number of commitments to help newly qualified teachers secure permanent positions in the Education sector. An Expert Group is to be established to consider and report on the level of fixed-term and part-time employment in teaching, having regard to the importance for teachers of employment stability and security. In addition, the agreement includes proposals to establish a supplementary panel for teachers who have had sustained periods of employment with more than one school/VEC over an extended period of time. The public service trade unions are currently considering the outcome of these negotiations. In light of that, I do not think that it would be helpful to this ongoing process for me to comment or elaborate upon proposals which were carefully constructed by the LRC.

Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 75.