Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
429. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if the one release day per week for teaching principals will only extend to the end of the current school year as it appears to suggest in Circular 50/2021; if so, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54451/21]
View answerI am keenly aware of the huge contribution made by all Principals in our schools, including teaching principals.
The COVID-19 supports provided under The Roadmap for the Full Return to School in 2020, included specific funding to support Principals who undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding provided each teaching principal with a minimum of one release day per week. Schools have been advised that, in the context of COVID-19, the additional allocation of Principal Release Days will remain in place for the 2021/22 school year and each school with a teaching principal will have 37 Principal Release Days.
Budget 2022 has maintained these Principal Release Days going forward.
