Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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981. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 7 May 2015, the nature of the succession planning engaged in by the support services; the reason the training being provided to long-term secondees returning to teaching roles in their respective schools is, out of necessity, being provided by these same long-term secondees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22038/15]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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982. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 7 May 2015, the number of derogated posts for each support service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22039/15]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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983. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received a request to meet with representatives of the Professional Development Service for Teachers staff, who are affected by the five year rule for teachings secondments in September 2015; if she will agree to meet with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22040/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 981 to 983, inclusive, together.

My Department, through the teacher support services and education centres, engages teachers on a full time basis annually for the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) through secondment from their schools. These secondments are subject to annual review. The arrangements provide flexibility and ensure that the in-service needs of teachers and other support priorities of the school system can be met within the resources available.

The support services have engaged in succession planning as a key strategy in ensuring continued support for teachers and school leaders in implementing national education policy priorities and CPD and which allows for continuity, quality planning and management.

A limited alleviation of the application of the five year secondment limit has been agreed. It is Department policy to apply the alleviation to meet the business needs of each of the support services, for example, where seconded teachers take on leadership roles or have a specialism or expertise where retention is necessary for continuity, quality planning and management. Representations received on the operation of the policy have been considered.

The implementation of this policy is a matter for the services concerned and the relevant section of my Department.

I am satisfied that appropriate support to facilitate secondees returning to school has been offered to those concerned.

The detail of the number of derogated posts for each support service is contained in the table.

RETENTION PROPOSALS FOR EACH SERVICE FOR 2015/16

Category Descriptions: Category 1 - Directors of National Programmes; Category 2 - Deputy Director/National Co-ordinators of National Programmes; Category 3 - Team Leaders and Assistant National Co-ordinators of National Programmes; Category 4 - Regional Development Officers/Advisors of National Programmes; EC Director - Directors of Education Centres.