Peter Burke
Ceist:360. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will lift the ban on a practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 November 2018
Ceisteanna (360)
Freagraí scríofa
The provisions regarding teaching whilst on Career Break are set out in Chapter Eight of the “Terms & Conditions of Employment for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools”
Paragraph 5.1 states:
“In exceptional circumstances a teacher on a Career Break may be employed on the following basis:
in Post Primary – for a maximum of 300 hours in a school year
in Primary – for a maximum of 90 days in a school year “
In response to issues raised in relation to teacher supply, the above restrictions were suspended in January 2018 for the remainder of the 2017/2018 school year.
As the Deputy may be aware my Department has recently established a Teacher Supply Steering Group which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and is to consider issues that impact on teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession.
The lifting of restrictions on teaching whilst on Career Break for the 2018/19 school year is one of the measures currently under consideration by the Steering Group.