Written answers

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Department of Education and Science

School Staffing

5:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 57: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will enable funds to be put in place to ensure that there is sufficient substitution cover to ensure that teachers will be able to adequately supervise practical examinations which are part of the leaving certificate; the position regarding schools in which all of the allocated substitute hours have been used in advance of the leaving certificate practicals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7921/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The management bodies of post-primary and primary schools made proposals to me in December regarding aspects of the arrangements for supervision and substitution and related matters where savings and efficiencies could be made. These included the identification by the post-primary management bodies of annual savings of €16 million on substitution costs and how these savings can be made not only in the current year and but on a continuing basis in future years.

On foot of these proposals, I approved the interim arrangements for certain substitution cover in schools for the remainder of the current school year and the details are outlined in Circulars 0110/2008 and 0115/2008 which can be viewed on my Department's website. The existing supervision/ substitution scheme continues to operate as heretofore. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to ensure that all substitution cover required for the remainder of the 2008/2009 school year including cover for practical examinations is provided from the hours available under the interim arrangements and the supervision/substitution scheme.

I also announced in December that in the period until the end of the school year, there will be a full review of the substitution and supervision scheme and related matters in conjunction with the school management bodies and teacher unions with a view to making up the additional expenditure and thereby ensuring that the budgetary parameters are met. This review is now commencing.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.