Special Educational Needs Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Ceisteanna (599)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

599. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the current provisions of the job sharing scheme for special needs assistants in both primary and post primary schools requiring assistants to share a whole-time post on a 50:50 basis; if she is aware that these working hours are causing great hardship for assistants, as it means they subsequently do not qualify for certain social welfare payments while on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13334/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The position is that the provisions of the Job Sharing Scheme for Special Needs Assistants in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools are outlined in my Department's Circular Letter 41/2014.

In accordance with the Circular, Special Needs Assistants may apply to share a wholetime post on a 50:50 basis i.e. 16 hours per week in both Primary and Post Primary Schools. The terms of the scheme were agreed with the School Management Bodies and the relevant Trade Unions and have general application to all Special Needs Assistants.

Rules pertaining to social welfare payments are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.