Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers who are on secondment from school at present; the average length of each of these secondments; the areas which they have been seconded to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19043/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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According to my Department's records, there are 556 teachers on secondment from primary, secondary and community/ comprehensive schools at present. Details of the number of vocational teachers on secondment are not readily available.

The teachers concerned are seconded to various bodies or programmes as follows: Department of Education and Sciences programmes; The Oireachtas; Training establishments / education centres / schools (including the European Schools); Government Departments; Management bodies / teacher unions / professional associations; Sporting organisations; Area Partnerships; Religious bodies; Educational agencies; Other projects / bodies. The minimum period for which a secondment may be granted is one school year.

In a case of a secondment to a programme approved by my Department for a period specified at the commencement of the programme, a secondment arrangement in excess of one school year may be agreed between the Board of Management and the teacher at the start of the secondment arrangement.

In cases other than those referred to above, where the seconding body/organisation requires the services of the teacher for a period longer than one school year, the period may be extended, subject to the written approval of both the Board of Management and my Department and subject to the appropriate maximum period of secondment as follows being adhered to: a maximum period of five school years for secondments to outside organisations; a maximum period of nine school years for secondments to European Schools; and a maximum period of ten school years for secondments to Department of Education and Science national approved programmes.

However, in the case of existing secondments to Department programmes where exigencies require an extension in excess of the ten school years, an extension may be considered subject to Board of Management and my Department's approval.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers on career breaks for the school year 2005/2006; if these figures are separate to the figures of teachers on secondment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19044/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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According to my Department's records, there are 720 Primary teachers and 406 Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive teachers on career break for the 2005/2006 school year. Details of the number of vocational teachers on career break are not available in my Department.

The figures given do not include teachers on secondment.

A career break is designed to provide eligible teachers with an opportunity to obtain a break from normal duties for the purposes of care of children, other family matters, study, travel etc.