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School Staffing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2010

Thursday, 6 May 2010

Ceisteanna (26, 27, 28)

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

24 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider the decision regarding the abolition of the supply panel in view of the fact that this panel has been beneficial to the schools in which it operates over the past ten years such as at a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan; her views on the fact that there is no potential saving in ceasing this scheme in view of the fact that other teachers will have to be found when needed and the system will not be efficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18072/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

32 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review her decision to discontinue the teacher supply panel scheme. [18312/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

159 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will support the supply teachers panel scheme in 2010. [18519/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 32 and 159 together.

The supply teacher scheme was initially set up at primary level over 15 years ago at a time when schools had difficulty getting substitute teachers. The supply scheme operates on the basis of an additional full-time teacher being allocated to a school to cover certified sick leave absences in that school and a cluster of neighbouring schools. If the teacher is not required on a given day to cover sick leave absences they generally assist with other work in their school such as administrative duties. There are 60 posts allocated to the scheme.

A value for money review of the Supply Teacher Scheme was published in July 2006. The review found that approximately 60% of these teachers' time was used to cover sick leave absences with the balance on various other school duties. This reflects the unpredictable nature of sick leave absences.

While there are benefits for schools in having these full-time teachers it is considered more cost effective to use the normal substitution arrangements that apply to all other schools to cover sick leave absences instead of having a cohort of full-time teachers ‘‘on call'' all the time in these schools to cover sick leave absences that may or may not arise.

The supply teacher scheme will cease from the start of the 2010/11 school year. The teachers concerned will be redeployed in accordance with the existing redeployment arrangements to other schools that have vacancies. It is expected that this measure will save €0.4m in 2010 and €1.1m in a full year.

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