Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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729. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on recent calls by teachers to introduce a regularised leave system for teachers who have been assaulted in the workplace, in order that those teachers do not have to use their own sick leave for recovery time. [14767/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Department's sick leave scheme provides for sick leave to be granted to a teacher who is unable to perform his/her duties because of illness or injury. The terms of the sick leave scheme are contained in Department Circular 0059/2014 Sick Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

Department Circular 40/97, Assaults on Teachers/School Employees, outlines the policy to be adopted in primary schools where incidents of assault arise. This includes compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act as regards identifying hazards, assessing risks and putting in place appropriate safeguards and preventative measures. The Circular also provides for an application for assault leave to be made to the Department. Where Assault Leave is granted, such leave is paid in full and does not form part of the teacher's sick leave record.