Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of relief teaching days allocated to teachers on a departmental pension at primary and post-primary levels in 2013-2014, in 2014-2015, and in 2015-2016; the value of these payments; the steps she is taking to reduce this number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43867/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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During the 2013/2014 school year a total of 9,421 teaching days were worked by 537 retired teachers: 302 retired Primary school teachers worked 5,259 days and 235 retired Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools teachers worked 4,162 days.

During the 2014/2015 school year a total of 10,391 teaching days were worked by 560 retired teachers: 320 retired Primary school teachers worked 5,996 days and 240 retired Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools teachers worked 4.395 days.

During the 2015/2016 school year up to the end of November 2015 a total of 3,270 teaching days were worked by 368 retired teachers: 234 retired Primary school teachers worked 2,002 days and 134 retired Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools teachers worked 1,268 days.

The policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Managerial Authorities of Primary and Post Primary schools give priority to unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. It is schools that employ teachers and not my Department. However my Department has issued a number of Circulars addressing this issue in recent years.

Under these Circulars School Principals must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have had to engage a registered teacher who is retired. Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for the recruitment of teachers, prioritising registered teachers over retired registered teachers and unregistered people.

A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 will commence at the first point of the incremental salary scale (i.e. the lowest point or starting salary for teachers). Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable. This measure represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.