Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason secondary school teachers who are seconded for training on the new junior cycle are required to use the nearest education centre as a starting point for travel expenses; if the situation can be reviewed in order to allow rural based teachers avail of an increased expense from their home address in view of the fact that this is the location they will be travelling from (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3778/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy’s question refers to Teachers seconded to education centres or associates of professional development services including the Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT).

I wish to advise the Deputy that travel and subsistence payments apply to secondees to the Department’s support services including secondees to the JCT, in accordance with the regulations and at rates approved from time to time by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.

The nature of work for secondees to the support services necessitates travel to venues/schools in the area defined in their programme of work.

The conditions governing travel & subsistence payments and the procedures to be applied are set out clearly for Education Centres who administer the payments.

The regulations provide that travel expenses are paid for officially authorised travel between either the secondees place of work and the approved destination or the employee’s home and the approved destination, whichever is shorter.

In the case of Teachers seconded to Education centres, their place of work is the Education Centre.

Secondees to JCT should be aware of these provisions prior to taking up a secondment contract with the service as this information is clearly outlined in recruitment and contract documentation.