Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
917. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of extra personal vacation, EPV, days recorded for all primary schools in the 2014-2015 school year and in the 2013-2014 school year; if her Department has conducted an assessment of the level of disruption such days without substitute cover cause to the educational experience of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37232/15]
View answerThe terms and conditions of teachers employed in Oireachtas funded teaching posts are negotiated through the Teachers Conciliation Council and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts. The Council is composed of teacher representatives, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission.
Any decision to approve Extra Personal Vacation (EPV) days for teachers is a matter for the Board of Management of the school concerned. In approving such leave Boards should take into account the education and welfare of the pupils concerned.
The number of EPV days recorded for the 2013/2014 school year was 56,876 and for the 2014/2015 school year was 62,142 which equates to 1.8 EPV days per teacher.
