John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the selection of candidates for superintending State exams; and his views on whether an opportunity is being missed to employ more unemployed, part time or temporary teachers in these roles. [24657/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. They have provided me with the following information.

Examination superintendents are appointed annually by the SEC. Appointment in one year does not necessarily guarantee appointment in any subsequent year.  The positions are advertised:

- in the national newspapers;

- by issuing the previous year’s superintendents with an application form;

- by supplying application forms to all post-primary schools.

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must satisfy all of the terms and conditions for appointment set out by the SEC. Since 2013, this includes a requirement to be registered on the Register of Teachers maintained by the Teaching Council of Ireland, a change that was linked to requirements under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

The SEC has a long-standing policy of prioritising applications from non-permanent teachers in the appointment of superintendents.  Retired teachers may also apply and be appointed in accordance with the terms of the Employment Equality Act, 1998, which prohibits discrimination in employment on a number of grounds, including age.  The SEC emphasises its policy of prioritising applications from substitute or unemployed teachers in the recruitment section on its website and in recruitment information sent to schools for distribution to teachers.  To give effect to this policy the SEC appoints all unemployed and substitute teachers, who apply for the role of Superintendent, before any other appointments are made to this role provided they are otherwise eligible.