Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - School Staffing.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

57 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of temporary teachers employed in second level schools; the reasons this figure is so high; and the steps which he will take to rectify this situation in view of the disincentive which it poses to new teachers entering the profession. [12320/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The majority of teaching posts at second level are filled on a permanent whole-time basis. Vacancies in schools arising from career breaks, approved leave of absence or secondments and concessionary posts, which are allocated in excess of a school's normal quota of posts, may only be filled in a temporary or part-time capacity. In addition, in order to ensure that schools have the flexibility to meet the curricular needs of their students, particularly in minority subject areas, it is necessary for them to appoint temporary or part-time teachers. The number of temporary whole-time posts is approximately 1,600.

Under the terms of the eligible part-time teacher scheme, EPTs who are fully qualified and have given satisfactory service are re-employed on a contract basis from year to year where the same teaching hours are required. Most teachers who are initially employed as EPTs subsequently apply for and are appointed to permanent teaching posts in their subject area. They are entitled to incremental and pension credit for their qualified EPT service, together with recognition of this service for promotion purposes.

A number of measures have been taken over the past number of years to address job security of temporary teachers. The PCW agreement on the pay and conditions of teachers provided for the conversion of posts from temporary to permanent status and for an increase in the number of allocated posts which school authorities may fill on a permanent basis. The agreement also provided for the establishment of a qualifications committee to determine suitable qualifications for appointments to permanent teaching posts in vocational preparation and training courses. Recently this committee agreed qualifications and experience requirements in the areas of beauty therapy, hairdressing, veterinary studies and arts administration. This will enable teachers with these qualifications to be appointed in a fully qualified capacity and apply for suitable permanent posts. The work of this committee is continuing.

The Irish language requirement has been removed for the generality of teaching posts at second level. This has enabled teachers who were previously regarded as ineligible to apply for temporary or permanent teaching posts.

A review of the EPT scheme for VEC teachers has recently been carried out and improved arrangements in regard to EPT contracts have been agreed. vocational education committees now have the option of allocating EPT hours over more than one school and EPTs whose hours fall below the threshold of 11 hours per week required for a contract will be offered any residual hours which may be available.

The job security of temporary teachers depends on the number and type of posts available. In this regard the position at second level has significantly improved in recent years. In 1999, 225 additional posts were created. In the current school year 1,000 additional posts were created and a further 400 new posts will be created over the next two years in accordance with the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.