Written Answers. - Job-Sharing Career Breaks.
Roger T. Garland
Ceist:
34
Mr. Garland
asked the
Minister for Education
if she will outline, within the area of responsibility of her Department and covering each year from the commencement of the job-sharing and career break scheme (a) the total number of applications received and (b) the total granted and not granted; if she will give a breakdown of the grades involved under each heading and the reasons some applications were turned down; if her Department have plans to extend the job-sharing scheme from working halved hours to a system which facilitates the workers' requirements; and if not, the reason therefor.
Tomás MacGiolla
Ceist:
215
Tomás Mac Giolla
asked the
Minister for Education
the number of (a) primary and (b) post-primary teachers currently on career break; and her projection of the number of temporary teachers required to cover such positions for the coming three years.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 215.
The information in relation to career break and job-sharing schemes as applying to departmental staff is given in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. I should state that any question of extending job-sharing arrangements would have to be considered in the context of public service schemes generally.
In the case of primary teachers, the total number of applications received in the Department for career breaks since the introduction of the scheme is as follows:
|
1985/86
|
240
|
|
1986-87
|
584
|
|
1987-88
|
491
|
|
1988-89
|
448
|
|
1989-90
|
506
|
|
1990-91
|
422
|
|
1991-92
|
365
|
There are 1,221 primary teachers on career breaks for the 1991-92 school year.
Details of number of post-primary teachers on career breaks for the school years prior to 1989-90 are not, readily available from my Department's records. There were 1,095 and 1,298 such teachers on career breaks in the school years 1989-90 and 1990-91, respectively. The statistics in relation to 1991-92 are currently being compiled from school returns.
Applications for career breaks are dealt with by school authorities. My Department have no information on the actual number of applications submitted or the reasons why applications may have been turned down.
As may be seen from the variations in numbers applying, it is difficult to forecast accurately the numbers of temporary teachers who may be required for the next three years.
Job-sharing schemes for primary and post-primary teachers have not been established. My Department are, however, currently considering a formal request for the introduction of such a scheme on a pilot basis.
In so far as the universities and other third-level institutions are concerned, the information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputies as soon as it becomes available.
Department Staff
The number of applications for the job-sharing and career break schemes, all of which were granted (except as noted), is as follows:
(1)Job-Sharing
|
Grade
|
1984
|
1985
|
1986
|
1987
|
1988
|
1989
|
1990
|
1991
|
|
HEO.
|
—
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
—
|
|
EO
|
—
|
2
|
2
|
—
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
|
SO
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
|
CO
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
2
|
6
|
2
|
|
CA
|
2
|
—
|
1
|
6
|
7
|
9
|
4
|
2
|
|
Asst. Eds.
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
|
Psychols.
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
|
Architect
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
|
Totals
|
4
|
2
|
5
|
7
|
17
|
23
|
18
|
9
|
(2)Career Breaks
|
Grade
|
1984
|
1985
|
1986
|
1987
|
1988
|
1989
|
1990
|
1991
|
|
APO.
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1*
|
—
|
|
HEO
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
1
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
EO
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
|
SO
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
|
CO
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
—
|
|
CA
|
9
|
19
|
13
|
9
|
11
|
7**
|
6
|
7
|
|
Asst. Eds.
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Arch. Asst. 2
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Dist. Inspector
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Totals
|
12
|
24
|
17
|
16
|
23
|
14
|
10
|
8
|
*This officer was refused a career break as she was employed in an IT area.
**One officer was refused a career break as he was leaving to take up alternative employment within the State.
