Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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916. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why her Department does not allow a partial day's leave to be recorded for teachers who require time off from the classroom, and instead requires that they be recorded as absent for the full day; the cost of this rule; the number of days of unnecessary disruption it causes to students; her plans to change the system to allow for partial days' leave due to sickness or hospital appointments to be recorded as same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37229/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The current sick leave scheme for teachers 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 my Department's Circular 0053/2015 Sick Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

The circular was agreed under the auspices of the Teacher's Conciliation Council (TCC), 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.

The issue raised by the Deputy has been discussed at TCC with a view to reaching agreement. Once agreed at TCC my Department will amend the relevant circular.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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917. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of extra personal vacation, EPV, days recorded for all primary schools in the 2014-2015 school year; in the 2013-2014 school year; if her Department has conducted an assessment of the level of disruption such days without substitute cover cause to the educational experience of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37232/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The terms and conditions of teachers employed in Oireachtas funded teaching posts are negotiated through the Teachers Conciliation Council and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts. The Council is composed of teacher representatives, 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.

Any decision to approve Extra Personal Vacation (EPV) days for teachers is a matter for the Board of Management of the school concerned. In approving such leave Boards should take into account the education and welfare of the pupils concerned.

The number of EPV days recorded for the 2013/2014 school year was 56,876 and for the 2014/2015 school year was 62,142 which equates to 1.8 EPV days per teacher.