Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken to make it easier for retired teachers to act as substitutes in the short-term but ensure this in no way interferes with the normal teaching labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43287/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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It is schools that employ teachers and not my Department. 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.

Therefore and in accordance with Department Circular 31/2011 issued by my Department, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers. In the event that an appropriately qualified and registered teacher is not available the circular outlines that schools must give priority to retired teachers over the employment of people who are not registered as teachers by the Teaching Council.

In addition the Teaching Council draws to the attention of teachers who indicate they are not continuing their registration that if they wish to continue to work as a teacher following retirement in a substitute or other capacity they should maintain their registration with the Teaching Council.