Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding young teachers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25854/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment.

After the redeployment processes have transacted, each school is permitted to fill any remaining vacancies through open recruitment. It is open to any suitably qualified teacher to apply for these advertised teaching positions as they arise.

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(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

The 2018/19 school year has seen an increase of over 6,000 teaching posts in our schools compared to the 2015/16 school year.

Budget 2019 will see numbers employed in our schools reach the highest ever level. Over 1,300 additional posts in schools will be funded in the 2019/20 school year, including more than 370 teaching posts to cater for growth in student population and additional special classes.

Earlier this year I announced a new scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers in priority subjects. The scheme will start from the beginning of the 2019/20 school year and will be reviewed after the first year of operation. Its aim is to alleviate some of the challenges schools have faced in recruiting teachers, but it is also a solution for graduates who are looking for full-time employment and more options for work.

My Department’s Circular 0015/2019 sets out the details of the scheme.