Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on extending the sharing of teaching resources to all aspects of the education sector, as is currently done in the vocational education sector, in order that cross-sectoral redeployment of teachers could provide more flexibility when staff shortages arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39968/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are various arrangements in place at primary and post-primary level that facilitate the sharing of posts between schools in areas such as resource teaching posts, home school liaison co-ordinator posts, Guidance Counsellor posts etc. The sharing of resources is also encouraged through the curricular concession process which enables priority to be given to applications for curriculum concessions where two or more schools come together and make a joint request for some alleviation. My Department remains open, of course, to considering any proposal from patrons or schools on other types of school clustering arrangements or inter-school co-operation that would result in improving the efficiency or effectiveness of existing levels of resources. Ensuring we get value for money for the taxpayer is obviously a priority for me. We are continuing to find efficiencies where possible. It is incumbent on all of us that given the financial situation we deploy staff and other resources in the most effective way across the education sector.

As part of the modernisation agenda for teachers under the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016 it was agreed to address the issue of redeployment of surplus teachers. Discussions on the arrangements that would apply in the case of second level schools commenced under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council in March 2007. It was initially agreed that the discussions would take place in a sequenced manner and that the first issue to be discussed was the arrangements that would apply in the case of school closures. Those arrangements were agreed and have been implemented with effect from the end of the 2006/2007 school year.

Discussions have now focused on agreeing arrangements that will apply in the case of teachers that become surplus in situations other than school closure such as changing enrolments or changed course or subject provision at individual school level. The arrangements when agreed will be implemented in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of the Towards 2016 Agreement.