Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2015
229. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process in place for considering applications from teachers who wish to transfer within the Vocational Education Committee sector from county to county; her views on whether the process is fair and efficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33799/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no direct involvement in the deployment of teachers within individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Teacher allocations to all ETBs are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment and, in accordance with these rules, each ETB is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
Each ETB operates its own internal redeployment system annually in accordance with the need of the schools within the ETB. The deployment of teaching staff, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are a matter for the individual ETBs.
The current redeployment arrangements at post-primary level apply to schools and ETBs that have a surplus of permanent and/or CID holding teachers.
In addition as part of the 2015 post primary redeployment process, all permanent teachers in the Munster region were given an opportunity to volunteer for a transfer to other areas if such a transfer would free up a vacancy that would facilitate the redeployment of a surplus permanent teacher in that area.
This arrangement operated on a pilot basis for 2015. My Department has no plans to introduce a separate voluntary redeployment scheme.
