Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming before the House to deal with this issue. I know a number of special needs assistants who have gone back to further education who have advised me that departmental circular letter 22/2012 prevents them from taking on any employment. The circular states:

7.1 The taking up of regular paid employment of any kind elsewhere in the State while on career break would be contrary to the objectives of the scheme and shall lead to refusal of an application or withdrawal of approval already given.

7.2 A special needs assistant on a career break is precluded from taking up an appointment in any capacity in any school within the state.

This circular came into force in 2012 when jobs were scarce. I fully appreciate why these were the criteria set down in respect of special needs assistants who took career breaks. The people who contacted me are those who have gone back to further education. They are paying full college fees because they are mature students and they are technically precluded from taking on any type of employment while on career break.

It is time to review circular 22/2012, taking into account that some schools are finding it difficult to get replacements, for example, where a special needs assistant goes out sick, and this is particularly the case in areas outside Dublin. I ask the Minister to review this matter.I am talking specifically about people going back to further education and they should not be penalised in this way that prevents them from taking on employment. I ask for the matter to be reviewed.