Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
429. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an overview of the circumstances that allow a teacher to extend their career break beyond the five-year limit, as specified in Circular 0054/2019. [26220/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers is contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7).
Where a Career Break is approved, it must be for a minimum period of one school year. The Career Break may be extended, subject to employer approval, on an annual basis not to exceed five years at any one time, up to a maximum of 10 years absence in the course of the teacher's career. A subsequent Career Break may not be taken until the teacher has served for a period equal to the duration of the previous Career Break. However, in the case of a teacher wishing to avail of a Career Break to undertake voluntary service abroad/missionary/diplomatic/military/Oireachtas or study leave this requirement will be waived.
Employers must have a policy on teacher absences, including the Career Break Scheme. The welfare and education needs of the pupils must take precedence over all other considerations and they must take account of the availability of appropriate qualified replacement teachers. The capacity of the school to meets its obligations to its pupils can mean employers may apply a limit to the number of teaching staff that may avail of Career Break at any one time.
Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas. The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts. The Career Break Scheme exists by virtue of a collective agreement, concluded under the auspices of the TCC.
