Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
495. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 1 July 2014, the number of relief teaching days allocated to teachers on a departmental pension in 2013-14 and the current school year at primary and post-primary, respectively; the steps being taken to reduce this number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48927/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent information available on retired teachers being employed by the managerial authorities of schools relates to the period April to June 2014. During this period the total number of teaching days that retired teachers worked was 2,657. Retired Primary school teachers worked 1,577 days and retired Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools teachers worked 1,080 days. A total of 348 retired teachers were employed during this period; 198 retired primary teachers and 150 retired voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive teachers were employed. However, 76% of those teachers worked the equivalent of 10 days or less during this 3 month period. The policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the managerial authorities of schools give priority to the employment of unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. My Department has issued a number of circulars addressing this issue in recent years. Under the terms of these circulars school Principals must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have to engage a registered teacher who is retired. A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 commences at the first point of the incremental salary scale. Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable. These measures represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.
