Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024

Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Ceisteanna (140)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

140. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to provide details on the measures being taken to address the following concerns for teachers and special needs assistants injured at work; the current provision of immediate financial assistance available to cover medical bills and medications for teachers and SNAs who have been assaulted at work; if she will consider the extension of assault leave for teachers/SNAs to cover the entire duration of medically certified leave, as opposed to the current limit of three-six months; if she will establish a comprehensive support system for educators who have been injured at work; if her Department has completed a review of current policies and supports for schools and educators dealing with instances of extreme and frequent violent behaviours (details supplied); what steps are being considered to address these issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19577/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme is contained in the Department’s Circular Letter 0061/2017 for teachers and 0062/2017 for SNAs. It provides for special leave with pay (subject to specified limits) to a teacher or special needs assistant who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following an assault that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.

The leave available under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault is 3 months (92 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period. In exceptional cases, such as where a significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault, the leave may be extended for a further period not exceeding 3 months (91 days) at full pay, subject to an overall limit of 6 months (183 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period.

Any subsequent absence will be dealt with under the Sick Leave Scheme. When calculating a teacher’s entitlement, any Assault Leave/Leave of Absence following Assault granted in the previous four years from the current absence will be taken into account in determining access to leave under this scheme.

A Leave of Absence following Assault ends on:

• The ceasing of the certification by a duly qualified medical practitioner of the physical injury; or • the maximum leave limits available under this scheme being exhausted; • or certification of fitness to return to duties.

A Teacher/SNA who has exhausted the maximum period of paid leave under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault and who is still medically unfit to resume duty may avail of Sick Leave under the Sick Leave Scheme, subject to the normal rules of that scheme. Circular 0013/2024 sets out the details of the Sick Leave scheme for teachers. Circular 0014/2024 sets the details of the Sick Leave scheme for SNAs.

The Employee Assistance Service is available as a supportive resource for teachers and SNAs. The freephone confidential helpline is 1800 411 057 and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Supportive resources may include short term counselling (up to six sessions). If the EAS recommends additional short-term counselling sessions with the teacher or SNA, the Department can facilitate this request. The Leave of Absence following Assault Schemes for teachers and SNAs are currently the subject of review, to which the Department of Education, management representatives and Unions are all party.