Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he is considering reversing the decision on the withdrawal of funding in respect of substitute teachers to cover uncertified sick leave or absences on school-business, as announced in budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38020/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In making the announcement of the Budget measures for education I stressed that tough choices had to be made in meeting the needs of the education sector in these difficult times. The resources available to the Department have meant that these choices have been very challenging.

The decision made to suspend the substitution cover for uncertified sick leave and school business was a difficult one and there are no plans to change that decision.

The provision of substitute cover for uncertified sick leave in all schools and for school business at second level was only introduced in 2003. In addition the supervision/ substitution scheme which gives an annual payment of €1789, in addition to normal salary to teachers to provide supervision and substitution cover was also introduced.

I am aware that from January the changes regarding substitution will present particular challenges for school managers but I felt that suspending part of the improvements made in 2003 to the substitution scheme was preferable to impacting more significantly on teacher numbers.

Prior to 2003 schools managed without any of this provision and this did not impede on their capacity to participate for example in football and other sports competitions.

I fully accept this was possible through flexibility and goodwill all round. As we manage through this difficult period I am asking teachers in all schools to co-operate fully with school managers in coping with this change in the interest of the students.