Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 1 July 2014, the number of relief teaching days allocated to teachers on a departmental pension in the latest available figures at primary and post-primary respectively; the steps being taken to reduce this number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45611/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The information provided to the Deputy on 1 July 2014 in the most recent information available in my Department.

Information relating to the period April to June 2014 should be available in my Department in mid December. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded to the Deputy at that time.

The policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the managerial authorities of schools give priority to the employment of unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts.

My Department has issued a number of circulars addressing this issue in recent years. Under the terms of these circulars school Principal's must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have to engage a registered teacher who is retired.

A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 commences at the first point of the incremental salary scale. Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable.

These measures represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.