Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
862. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding payment in respect of a teacher in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41223/14]
View answer863. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will be paid by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41247/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 862 and 863 together. Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001, which was enacted on the 28 January 2014, prohibits the paymaster by law from paying any person who is employed as a teacher in a recognised school unless he/she is registered with the Teaching Council. Circular 0052/2013 outlines the procedures on the commencement of Section 30 in recognised schools. Section 4.1 of Circular 0052/2013 states that employers must ensure that all persons proposed for employment (casual and non-casual) provide evidence of current registration prior to the commencement of his/her employment. Section 4.4 of Circular 0052/2013 outlines the limited exceptions permitted under Ministerial regulations made under Section 24 (8) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012) whereby unregistered people may be employed in place of registered teachers. The regulations stipulate that an unregistered person may not be paid from public funds for a period of more than 5 consecutive school days. The person referred to by the Deputy registered with the Teaching Council with effect from the 26th September 2014. Any claims in respect of the person concerned input by the school prior to the 26th September must not exceed the five day rule as the person was not registered with the Teaching Council. An official from my Department will investigate the claims input on the On-Line Claims System prior to the 26th September to ensure that the claims which did not exceed the five day rule are paid.
