Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 1374: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is intended to change the system whereby teachers elected to Dáil Éireann can retain their posts indefinitely; if he will investigate, for example, a ten year limit on such a scheme, which would free up additional permanent higher paid teaching posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48053/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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An arrangement applies for teachers who become members of the Oireachtas with regard to the retention of their teaching posts. The arrangement, is that a replacement teacher is employed (in a temporary or Regular Part-Time capacity) in his/her school for the duration of the absence.

The member of the Oireachtas retains his/her full salary and allowances and the cost of the replacement including employers superannuation and PRSI is deducted from this salary. The balance of salary remaining after the cost of the replacement teacher, the statutory and other voluntary deductions payable by the Oireachtas member are deducted is paid to him/her. A number of members do not accept any outstanding balance of salary.

Under the current arrangement the member of the Oireachtas also retains the right to go back to his/her teaching post. The period of teaching service whilst the person is a member of the Oireachtas is reckonable for incremental credit and is pensionable.

I will consider the matter raised by the Deputy and the proposal to limit the period of the approved leave of absence from teaching duty in the light of the outcome of discussions in relation to redeployment arrangements.