Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason persons who have a masters degree in chaplaincy and pastoral care plus a bachelor of arts degree are prevented from applying for, or being considered for, the position of school chaplain on the basis that they are not registered teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26448/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The position regarding School Chaplain posts which are paid by the State is set out in Circular 0025/2013 . Such posts are regarded as teaching posts and, therefore, those appointed to them must be registered teachers. The terms and conditions of teachers employed in Oireachtas funded teaching posts are agreed at the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts. The Council is composed of representatives of the teacher representative bodies, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission.

The permanent contract for Chaplains in Designated Community Colleges and Community and Comprehensive schools agreed at Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) in 2014, notes that the nature of the post includes the teaching of subject/s to a maximum of four contracted hours per week.