Teaching Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Ceisteanna (220)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

220. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 98 and 114 of 10 May 2018, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an education and training board is recording and-or categorising a person's entitlement to attend antenatal appointments as sick leave; if this is the appropriate way to record the person's entitlement to attend antenatal appointments without penalty or sanction; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that by recording the person's absence from work as sick leave due to their entitlement to attend antenatal appointments, this record impacts on a person's attendance record in the context of future employment progression through promotional opportunities in view of the fact that it stays on file for four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22499/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The position regarding time off for ante/post-natal care appointments and attendance at ante-natal classes is set out in Chapter 4 – Maternity Protection Entitlements, Terms & Conditions of Employment for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools–Edition 2.  Paragraph 8 of Chapter 4 states:

 8.1 Pregnant teachers are entitled to time off work, without loss of pay, to:

(a) attend medical appointments related to ante-natal care,

(b) attend one set of ante-natal classes in a working career, other than the last 3 classes in such a set, and

(c) attend medical appointments related to post-natal care within 14 weeks of the birth.

 8.2 If a pregnant teacher misses particular ante-natal classes in a set then it is permitted that during a subsequent pregnancy, or pregnancies, she may attend classes equivalent to those missed.

 8.3 An expectant father is entitled to time off work, without loss of pay, to attend the last two ante-natal classes in a set attended by the pregnant mother.

My Department has been in contact with Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), who are following up the matter with the relevant Education and Training Board.