Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 688: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of unqualified personnel employed at primary and second level during the last school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31199/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The information obtained from my Department's payroll databases indicate that were 72 unqualified teachers employed in a temporary basis in primary schools and 24 in post primary schools in June 2010.

The number of days worked by unqualified substitute teachers in primary schools reduced from 111,161 days in the period 1 January to 30 June 2009 to 58,919 days in the same period in 2010. The number of days worked by unqualified substitute teachers in post primary schools reduced from 45,187 days in the period 1 January to 30 June 2009 to 43,841 days in the same period in 2010.

There were 303 unqualified teachers employed in a part-time capacity in primary schools in the current school year. Prior to September 2009 the teachers employed in a part-time capacity were paid by the managerial authorities of the schools. They were placed on payroll operated by my Department from September 2009. The priority of my Department in the current school year was to place this group of teachers on payroll. It is expected that the number of unqualified teachers employed in this group will reduce significantly for the 2010-2011 school year.

The school managerial authorities have been advised of the position of my Department regarding the employment of unqualified teachers in a number of circulars. The position has been outlined in circulars 0020/2007, 0010/2008, 0002/2009 and 36/2009. Reference is also made in the appointment form completed by the managerial authorities when a teacher is appointed in a permanent or temporary capacity.

The position regarding the employment of registered and qualified teachers by the managerial authorities of schools was outlined recently in Circular 40/2010.