Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
755. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the optimum number of teachers remain available to all schools nationwide in primary and post-primary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21050/20]
View answerMy Department is working with the education partners on measures to address anticipated teacher supply pressures arising from additional posts in the system and to meet the demand for teachers to fill short term substitutable vacancies.
The Covid-19 environment is impacting on the willingness of teachers to travel and work abroad and we are hearing from post-primary schools that there are some improvements in supply this year as a result.
The range of options planned include offering additional hours to teachers employed in schools on part-time contracts and teachers who are job sharing and available to do additional hours.
My Department is also working with the Teaching Council on a campaign to raise awareness of teacher supply in post-primary schools, focusing on teachers who are currently registered but not actively working in schools.
The higher education institutions are working on more flexible arrangements for student teacher placement in post primary schools. This will facilitate student teachers to be available to their school for substitution and supervision while on placement.
The main teacher supply challenges at primary level are in recruiting substitute teachers for short term vacancies. Accordingly, I am expanding the Substitute Teacher Supply Panel Scheme nationwide for the 2020/21 school year. 200 additional fixed term posts will be allocated to provide substitute cover through these panels.
