Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
740. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will consider favourably granting a contract of indefinite duration to a special education teacher, teaching in an offshore island school (details supplied) in view of the unique circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1003/23]
View answerThe Department’s Primary Circular 23/2015 and Post-Primary Circular 24/2015 set out the eligibility criteria for the award of a contract of indefinite duration (CID). Under these circulars a teacher should be qualified for the appropriate sector they are teaching in, should have completed in excess of 2 years consecutive fixed term contracts and the post should be a viable post with no objective grounds. These circulars do not provide for award of CID under exceptional circumstances.
Also in accordance with Department Circular 44/2019 and Circular 31/2011, which are available on the Department’s website under www.gov.ie, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.
In addition, a Special Education Teacher in a primary school is required to have either Route 1 (Primary) registration or Route 4 (Other) registration in accordance with Department Circular 44/2019. This teacher is Post-Primary qualified and holds Route 2 (Post-Primary) registration status with the Teaching Council.
As this teacher does not satisfy the requirements of the CID Circular 23/2015, the application for CID was refused.
