Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to incentivise rather than punish retired teachers who can help alleviate the substitute teacher shortage. [51599/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In general, there have been no problems in relation to the recruitment of teachers.  In Budget 2017, we announced 2,400 new teachers whereas we are in the process of actually hiring 2,900 teachers - 21% more than the number announced.

I am aware that some schools have reported difficulties in recruiting substitute teachers at primary level and in certain subjects at post primary level, and I am committed to examining all possible means of addressing these issues.

Regarding issues around finding substitution at primary level, there are strong career opportunities in teaching and the number of permanent full-time positions are currently increasing at over 1,000 per year in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Due to the additional permanent positions being created, young teachers have greater opportunities to take on permanent positions, and as a result some schools may be experiencing issues in hiring teachers to fill temporary or substitute roles, which arise in schools for a number of reasons, including covering sick leave and career breaks.

At post primary level I have taken certain initiatives to address some of the supply pressures in particular subject areas. These include, as part of the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education, increasing from 2018/19 the number of places available on the existing Irish medium post primary initial teacher education programme in NUIG, to which I have granted two additional posts from September 2017. This measure will strengthen the Irish-language proficiency of newly qualified teachers across a range of subjects and, it is anticipated, also increase the supply of Irish language teachers. I have also increased from 85 to 101 the number of students admitted to St Angela’s, Sligo to follow the Home Economics ITE programme in the current year, with further expansions in future years being considered.

I have also undertaken measures to increase the pool of teachers available to schools in particular to fill short term vacancies. My Department informed all teachers retiring in 2017 that in order to remain eligible for employment in a state funded teaching post for a period of more than five consecutive days or to supervise the State examinations, a teacher must maintain his/her registration with the Teaching Council. My Department also increased the limits for employment while on career break at primary level to a maximum of 90 days in a school year. In addition, as a longer term measure, under my Department’s Gaeltacht Policy, an RFT is currently being developed for a new Irish-medium B.Ed. (primary teaching) ITE programme.

In the school year, 2016/17, circa 950 retired teachers were employed in schools. The vast majority of retired teachers undertake very short periods of teaching.   

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). 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.  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. 

In accordance with the normal arrangements which apply to retired public servants who take up public sector work, abatement applies where the combined earning exceed the pay on which the pension is based.  Retired teachers, who undertake casual or intermittent teaching subsequent to retirement are paid at the casual rate generally. Where they undertake teaching for a more substantial period they are then placed on the 1st point of the post-February 2012 pay scale.

I am currently reviewing with my Department other potential initiatives on teacher supply. In that context my Department has engaged with the HEA with a view to obtaining baseline data to support future policy decisions in this area. My Department also intends engaging with other stakeholders, including school management bodies, in this matter.