Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to amend the rules in circular 17/2015 to allow more flexibility in the teacher exchange scheme and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22455/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers that availed of the teacher exchange scheme in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers who extended their exchange to last the extra sixth year after its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22457/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a voluntary transfer scheme for permanent teachers will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22458/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 to 96, inclusive, together.

The provisions of the teacher exchange scheme are set out in Circular Letter 0017/2015 the contents of which were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. The Teachers Conciliation Council is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the Terms and Conditions of employment of teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.

The Teacher Exchange scheme is open to primary teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council, have completed probation and who wish to exchange their posts for educational purposes. Educational purposes would include enabling teachers in primary schools to gain experience of teaching in different types of settings. The concept is that teachers will gain a different experience, enrich their knowledge and understanding of their professional work and share this understanding with colleagues.

In accordance with the Circular the minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.

In 2016 the issue of this time limit and the purpose of the scheme was reviewed under the auspices of Teachers Conciliation Council. Pending the outcome of the review, the maximum period for which an exchange may occur was extended to allow applicants a sixth year of exchange in the school year 2016/17. The outcome of the review was that the scheme was to remain for educational purposes with existing time limits. However, following a request from teacher representatives that a voluntary transfer scheme for Primary Teachers be considered it was decided to extend the maximum period for which an exchange may occur for one further year. Proposals, such as a voluntary transfer scheme, are normally dealt with through confidential negotiations conducted under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council.

The number of teachers who availed of the teacher exchange scheme in the school year 2016/17 is 232 of which 10 are in their sixth year of exchange.