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Teacher Secondment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Questions (249, 250, 253)

John O'Mahony

Question:

249. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding primary school teachers who have been seconded to the special education support service and have now been informed that they will return to their schools in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7603/14]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

250. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale for sending teachers (details supplied), many of whom have gained extra skills and experience, back to the classroom in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7605/14]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

253. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person who will provide continuous professional development for teachers in the area of special educational needs as those who currently do so have been informed they will be returning to classroom teaching in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7684/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 250 and 253 together. My Department, through the teacher support services, engages teachers on a full time basis annually for the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) through secondment from their schools. These arrangements provide flexibility and ensure that the needs and priorities of the service are met. Given the importance of the teaching experience and expertise required for the role, it is a condition of the sanction received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the maximum length of time that a teacher may be on secondment is set at five years. The support services, including the Special Education Support Service (SESS), must engage in succession planning as a key strategy in ensuring continued support for teachers and school leaders in implementing national education policy priorities and CPD. Teachers continue to be employed by their Boards of Management while on secondment to work with the support services. Secondments are renewed, where necessary, on an annual basis and are subject to a number of provisions including the five-year limit referenced above, the priority needs of the service and the Board of Management's continuing approval. There are eighteen full-time members on the SESS programme who are currently seconded from their primary and post-primary schools.

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