Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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563. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will extend the temporary exchange programme in place for permanent, primary school teachers; if she will allow for permanent transfers where both teachers and both schools are in agreement, rather than the five year exchange limit currently in place; if her attention has been drawn to the inconvenience and difficulty being caused to teachers due to the inability to transfer once a permanent position is secured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47892/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Circular letter 12/03 issued by my Department outlines the temporary exchange scheme for primary teachers.

The teacher exchange scheme provides a facility for primary teachers to voluntarily exchange with a teacher in another school. The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.

The exchange scheme was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission. Any changes to the exchange scheme are therefore a matter for consideration in the first instance at the Teachers' Conciliation Council.