Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers who were post holders who retired at primary level and second level; the number of these posts that have not been reassigned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41389/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Retirements at primary level since the introduction of the moratorium in March 2009 were 458 principals, 386 deputy principals, 211 assistant principals and 343 teachers with special duties posts of responsibility. The equivalent figures for the post primary sector were approximately 159 principals, 132 deputy principals, 1,172 assistant principals and 302 teachers with special duties posts of responsibility. This is based on Department-held data with a pro rata adjustment to include VEC schools.

Unlike other areas of the public service, teaching vacancies continue to be filled in schools. When the moratorium was introduced by the Government, it exempted principal and deputy principal posts in all primary and post primary schools and these continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium is, therefore, limited to the assistant principal and special duties allowances payable to teachers on promotion. Vacancies at assistant principal and special duties level arise due to retirements in these specific grades and typically also from the knock-on effect of filling principal and deputy principal posts. What the school loses is the capacity to make a promotion by awarding the additional allowances to another teacher.

The position whereby almost 50% of all teachers have promotion allowances is simply not sustainable. It is a matter for each school authority to re-organise and prioritise the appropriate duties for post of responsibility holders in the context of implementing this moratorium.

Some further limited alleviation was announced in July for schools that are acutely affected by the impact of the moratorium at assistant principal level. The alleviation arrangements are set out in the published circular 42/2010, which provides some delegated sanction for post primary schools to fill assistant principal vacancies if they fall below certain minimum thresholds. The filling of these posts will be notified by the relevant post primary schools in the coming weeks. At this stage, the Department has been notified in respect of the filling of 39 assistant principal posts. Applications for alleviation in respect of 57 programme co-ordinator posts and 18 director of adult education posts have resulted in 25 of these posts being filled. Applications for alleviation have also been received from more than 120 primary schools and these are currently being examined and prioritised, and the schools will be advised of the outcome in the coming weeks.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Overlooking the situation in regard to principals and deputy principals, in many schools, particularly at second level, there is a huge void in regard to the work that was previously carried out by teachers, not only on a voluntary basis but in a series of areas. For example, a senior post holder always used to act as the co-ordinator for transition year or as examinations secretary. The problem with regard to the examinations secretary does not arise yet but the situation will be serious by February. Many more claims will be with the Department for the reappointment of staff into such posts.

I ask the Minister once more to reconsider the unworkable situation that has developed in many schools. The result is that many senior teachers have left the service altogether and many junior staff are incapable of doing the work that had been done over the years.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated, many other sectors have a moratorium. We are in a position to replace teachers, including some posts of responsibility, where there is a need for alleviation. A number of schools lost most of their post holders as a consequence of retirements and we had to bring in at least a base where that work needed to be done. Since 2009, there has been a reduction in the number of posts but some 50% of teachers still hold posts of responsibility.

With regard to the second part of the alleviation, consideration must be given arising from the schools opening in September. Between July and September, a situation arose whereby there was a minor alleviation. In September, I gave an undertaking that we would review the situation, in the advent of particular circumstances, so that there might be some flexibility, although it would be very limited. The harsh reality is that we cannot continue to have a situation where 50% of the entire teaching community hold posts of responsibility. The minor alleviation was to address the concerns the Deputy has raised.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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It is wrong for the Minister to say a post of responsibility is an advancement in pay and opportunity. She is rejecting the valuable work that was done by post holders over the years, which was an integral part of the operation of the schools. We talk of the importance of liaison between the school and the home but that is dead, gone, finished. How can the Minister justify this kind of change?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The total estimated cost of posts of responsibility is €236 million. I do not take from the valuable work done on a voluntary basis by many who hold no post of responsibility, and who are usually the ones who are enthusiastic enough never to bother about such posts and go out to do the school plays, the music-----

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste should not load it.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are plenty of those, which is very good. This is the type of thing we will have to instill in life, in society and in the community as opposed to having people being paid to be a volunteer.

There are other responsibilities which require administrative time, and I do not take from that. However, what we are trying to ensure is that at the least we meet a minimum requirement so the schools can manage the work they need to do.

On an issue not raised in the House, I very much appreciate the view of the TUI in that it has stepped back from its industrial action, which I hope will allow greater work processes to take place within the schools in situations where the principal and deputy principal were left to do everything.

I am cognisant of the issue. I gave an undertaking that I would reduce the administrative burden on the management of schools. It is time we used technology to do away with the practice of re-doing 40 times everything that has to be done in a school term. I have asked the schools to come up with practical proposals, which I will be more than happy to address.