Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocated to chaplains in community and education and training board schools in 2018; and the number of chaplains appointed in 2018. [35183/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My Department allocates chaplain posts to Education and Training Boards (ETB) and Community and Comprehensive schools and colleges. There are currently 156 whole time equivalent chaplain posts allocated to these schools. The annual cost is approximately €9.8m.

The appointment of chaplains to these schools flows from the original agreements concluded when the schools concerned were established. The chaplains perform pastoral and counselling roles and play an important role in supporting student well-being.

Those chaplains who are registered as teachers with the Teaching Council can also teach a minimum number of hours per week.