Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the fact that only 73% of second level teachers here are in permanent teaching posts, which is in contrast with most other European countries; if he will alter this situation in the interest of the delivery of the highest quality of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3495/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of permanent teaching posts available in second-level schools at any one time is determined in accordance with the agreed criteria relating to the application of the pupil teacher ratio. It is a matter for each school authority, as employer, to determine whether any particular post when vacated may be filled on a permanent basis.

When deciding on the number of teaching posts, if any, which may be filled in a permanent capacity in a particular school year, the school authorities must take account of the approved teacher allocation for the school for that year, the number of permanent teachers currently employed, including those on approved leave, the overall limits as to the level of permanency as agreed from time to time and the need for flexibility to cater for the needs of all of the pupils attending the school. The assignment of teachers to individual classes within the overall approved allocation is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned.

Teachers who are on approved leave (e.g. career break, secondment, study leave, sick leave, maternity leave) or in job-sharing arrangements are entitled to return to their full-time teaching positions at the end of their period of approved leave/job-sharing. Replacement teachers may be appointed but, because of the permanent teachers' right to return to their posts, the replacement teachers may only be appointed in a temporary capacity.