Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2017
72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines in place in respect of substitution or replacement cover for local authority members who are also primary and post-primary school teachers, in view of the fact his Department's circulars state they are entitled to ten days leave per school year for local authority duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44304/17]
View answerWhere a teacher in a primary or post primary 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, but only where such meetings are held during school opening hours. Prior approval must be obtained from the Board of Management of the School, 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.
