Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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481. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by substitute school teachers who are unable to progress on the pay point scale due to school closures; her plans to address this situation in order that teachers are not disadvantaged by school closures due to the lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12513/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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During the Covid-19 pandemic, substitute teachers with a contract (written or verbal) covering an approved absence receive payment for the duration of that contract. The period of service that the teachers is paid for is reckonable towards incremental progression on the payscale.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many substitute teachers will lose out on panel rights due to the ongoing school closures; her plans to address this situation in order that teachers awaiting panel rights are not disadvantaged by school closures due to lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12514/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies. Thereafter, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill permanent vacancies from supplementary panels comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers.

The criteria, reviewed annually with the Education Partners, are published on the Department website. Circular 78/2020 sets out the arrangements for the Supplementary Panel for the 2021/22 school year.

While school buildings were closed due to COVID-19, schools continued to provide remote learning and substitution for approved leave is permitted during this period.