Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of the cost of substitution cover in primary and secondary schools in the past five years; the number of days of substitute cover provided per year to schools; the proportion of substitute cover deemed certified sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36614/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of improvements in rates of pay and conditions of service for substitute teachers allied with the substantial increase in the numbers of teachers employed and the extension of absences covered by substitution has increased the cost significantly in recent years.

The cost of substitution cover in primary schools in the past five years is as follows: 2003 — €26.3 million, 2004 — €40.4 million, 2005- €44.5, 2006 — €61.1 million (including arrears of €18 million) 2007- €65.0 million and in 2008, the projected cost is €84.4 million.

Details regarding the cost of substitution for secondary and community/comprehensive schools are available from 2006 as my Department commenced paying casual and non casual teachers on payroll from that year. The costs are as follows 2006- €52.0 million, €64.4 million (including arrears of €7.5 million). In 2008, the projected cost is €66.9 million.

In the 2007 / 2008 school year, 362,923 days substitute cover for teachers at Primary level were provided. 28.9% of these days related to certified sick leave and 11% related to uncertified sick leave. In the same school year, 245,399 days substitute cover for teachers at Secondary and community/comprehensive schools were provided. 25.2% of these days related to certified sick leave and 11.3% related to uncertified sick leave.

In addition to the cost of substitution the expenditure on the supervision/substitution scheme in the current financial year is 56 million for primary schools and 35 million for Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the definition of the criteria which is to be applied to the definition of school business under the new arrangements surrounding teacher substitution as outlined in Budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36615/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The scheme of substitution for Official School Business at post-primary level was introduced in conjunction with the Supervision / Substitution scheme in 2002.

Further to the announcement in Budget 2009, substitution cover for official school business will be suspended from January 2009. Official school business relates to absences of post-primary teachers at sports events, seminars, arts events etc and is essentially a feature at post-primary where a teacher may be absent with one class and not available to take other classes.

However, the existing arrangements will continue to apply for the Supervision /Substitution scheme. Under the terms of the supervision/ substitution scheme individual teachers can receive an annual payment of €1,789 in addition to salary for providing supervision for children during breaks and providing cover for absent colleagues for thirty seven hours annually. This element is not being suspended and is still available to teachers and their schools.