Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
741. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if there are plans for those who previously opted out of the supervision and substitution scheme to opt back in; if it is the case that only those who have been appointed to a post as a school principal or deputy principal can opt back in; if there are plans to amend this given the ongoing shortage of teachers and the recruitment crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38994/23]
View answerWith effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution (S&S) scheme is compulsory for all post-primary teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements prior to this date. Circular 0047/2017 also subsequently set out the arrangements whereby teachers who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the S&S scheme under Circular 0006/2014 could opt back in to the S&S scheme.
With regard to Principals and Deputy Principals, following agreement at the Teacher' Conciliation Council (TCC) my Department recently published Circular 0032/2023 Supervision and Substitution Scheme – Opt-in for Principals and Deputy Principals with effect from 1 September 2022. The TCC is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the terms and conditions of employment of teachers to which the Department, management representatives and unions are all party.
This recent Circular is confined to teachers who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the S&S Scheme under Circulars 0006/2014 or 0047/2017, and who have subsequently been promoted to a permanent Principal or Deputy Principal position since opting out. This offer to opt back into the S&S Scheme is provided on the basis that such permanently appointed principals and deputy principals carry out S&S duties as part of their roles and agree to be included on S&S rosters as applicable.
Discussions are currently ongoing under the auspices of the TCC in relation to the option for other teachers to opt-in/opt-out of the S&S scheme under certain conditions. As the proceedings of the TCC are confidential, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment while it remains under consideration.
