Vol. 540 No. 3
370 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department offers no payment of substitute teachers who substitute for teachers of autistic children when such teachers take personal leave; if his attention has been drawn to the enormous difficulties this policy presents for school authorities in running a class for autistic children; and if he will undertake to address this discrepancy as a matter of urgency. [20841/01]
Substitute cover is provided when permanent and temporary teachers are absent from their teaching posts on absences such as paid maternity leave, paid adoptive leave and certified sick leave.
Agreement was reached at the Conciliation Council for Teachers, to extend the provision of substitute cover for approved absences to cover bereavement leave and force majeure leave in September, 2000.
Discussions are currently being held with the managerial authorities of schools and the teacher unions under the auspices of the Conciliation Council for Teachers with regard to granting substitute cover for other approved absences. The case referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of these discussions.
