Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2014
125. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of days paid cover available to teachers employed by Education and Training Boards, who are elected members of local authorities, to facilitate attendance at council meetings; if permitted cover days have to be taken in full or may be availed of in part; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45449/14]
View answerEducation and Training Boards are statutory bodies with their own corporate status established under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. Where a teacher in an Education and Training board school is an elected member of a local authority, paid absence of up to ten school days in a school year may be availed of in order to attend council meetings where such meetings are held during school opening hours. Prior approval must be obtained from the Board, who, in approving such leave, must take into consideration the welfare and educational needs of the students. Substitute cover is not provided by my Department for such absences and the approval of full or part days is a matter for the Education and Training Board.
