Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
268. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce flexible budget arrangements similar to that which were introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to allow school principals recruit and pay substitute teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39680/23]
View answerIn response to the difficulties being experienced by some schools in sourcing substitute teachers, my Department launched a number of measures ahead of the commencement of the 2023/2024 school year which have been designed to assist schools in sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. These measures include:
• Allowing teachers who job share to work in a substitute capacity during periods they are rostered off duty, provided for under Information Note TC/IN 0006/2023
• The removal of the limits on the number of hours teachers on Career Break can carry out substitute work, provided for under Information Note TC/IN 0007/2023.
• The extension of the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme into the 2023/2024 school year and setting the number of additional hours that can be thought for the school term at 35 hours provided for under Department Circular 0035/2023.
The Department will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement solutions to address challenges being experienced by some schools in sourcing substitute teachers.
