Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 922: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science further to her recent speech at the Irish National Teachers Organisation Conference in Ennis, County Clare, on 7 April 2010, if she will outline the measures she will take to alleviate the shortage of middle management positions in schools; when these measures will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15102/10]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 936: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if she will review the moratorium on acting-up posts at the school (details supplied) in County Dublin where three out the nine post holders will be on leave and the lack of personnel to take up their responsibilities will affect the efficient operation of the school and will lead to a curtailment of services to the children in the school; if she will consider granting an exception to the moratorium in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15254/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 922 and 936 together.

When the moratorium was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal appointments in all primary and post-primary schools and these continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium is therefore limited to the Assistant Principal and Special Duties allowances payable to teachers on promotion.

I am conscious that the impact of the moratorium on middle management posts has applied unevenly in schools depending on the level of retirements. My Department is going to look at how some limited alleviation of the position might be applied for the coming school year for schools that have been acutely affected by the moratorium.

In this regard my Department is in discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the detail of such alleviation measures and schools will be advised of the outcome in due course.

It is a matter for school authorities to re-organise and prioritise, as best as possible, the appropriate duties for post of responsibility holders in the context of implementing the moratorium.