Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2017
112. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the supervision of lunchtime detention by teachers can form a part of their timetabled class contact hours in the case that the teacher is already undertaking maximum supervision and substitution hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10561/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupervision and substitution duties are core duties for all teachers since the Haddington Road Agreement. A limited group of teachers were allowed to opt-out of the duties in return for a pay reduction. Department Circular 0006/2014 states that with effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme is compulsory for all teachers, save for those who avail of the opt-out arrangement.
Under public service pay agreements, the allowance which was previously payable for Supervision and Substitution duties is being incorporated into the teacher pay scale in two moieties – the first on 1 September 2016 and the second on 1 September 2017.
Under the Scheme each teacher is required to provide 43 hours supervision and substitution per annum. Participation in this scheme is additional to existing teacher class contact hours and there is no provision for a reduction in timetabled class contact hours.
