Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the widespread concern in relation to the part-time employment of a large number of retired teachers if his Department will ensure that schools adhere to the regulations laid down by his Department where part-time teaching opportunities arise and ensure that qualified unemployed teachers are not denied such jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24187/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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. 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.