Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of people who will be entitled to salary arrears from his Department as a result of the failure to implement the Protection of Employees (Part-Time) Work Act 2001; the estimated cost of paying such arrears; when he plans to pay this sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32827/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Until 31st August this year, a grant system operated which allowed the managerial authorities of primary schools to claim from my Department the funding required to pay part-time teachers employed in their schools. The teachers were paid by the managerial authorities.

With effect from the 1st September this year, part-time resource, learning support and language support teachers are being paid on a payroll operated by my Department.

Under the terms of the Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act, 2001, qualified eligible part-time teachers are entitled to be paid salary appropriate to their qualifications and to receive incremental credit in respect of relevant teaching service.

Arrangements are now being made to pay any arrears owed to these teachers and they shall be paid by November this year. It is expected that approximately one thousand part-time teachers will be paid arrears on the payroll. It is not possible to estimate the amount of the arrears at present as each teacher has to be looked at individually with regard to their qualifications and service.