Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
308. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the current situation relating to the probation of teachers for primary schools where teachers who complete their probation in special classes are not eligible for panel placement in mainstream classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23397/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Teaching Council is responsible for procedures and criteria for the probation of teachers. In accordance with the Council's current arrangements, where a primary teacher is employed and probated in a restricted setting such as a special class, the probationary process is considered to be partially carried out and the teacher's registration will remain subject to the condition of probation. It is open to such teachers who complete the probationary process in a restricted setting, and who wish to complete the probationary process in full, to do so when they are teaching in a mainstream setting. There are standard redeployment arrangements in operation to deal with the redeployment of any surplus permanent and CID holding teachers and these are published on my Department's website. Teachers who complete probation in a restricted setting are not subject to any time limit to complete probation in mainstream settings. The arrangements at primary level for panel access for fixed term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers for the 2014-2015 school year are set out in Department Circular 0057/2013 which is also available on the Department website. The supplementary panel set up in accordance with the arrangements set out in this circular will be used for appointments to full-time permanent posts in primary schools but only where those posts are not otherwise required to facilitate the redeployment of surplus permanent and CID holding teachers.
