Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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488. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter regarding deputy principals in two-teacher schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25927/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of Circular 0063/2017, the post of Assistant Principal was re-designated as Assistant Principal I (AP I) and the post of Special Duties Teacher was re-designated as Assistant Principal II (AP II).

Currently in accordance with Chapter 3 of Circular 44/2019 for schools with 9 or less mainstream posts, open competition does not apply for the post of Deputy Principal unless there are no internal candidates (as set out in 6.4 of chapter 4).

Section 14.1 of Chapter 3 of Circular 44/2019 provides for the payment of the Assistant Principal II allowance to the second teacher in a two teacher school: “A mainstream class teacher in a two teacher school who carries out the specified roles and responsibilities as determined by the Board of Management/ETB of the school, may be paid an Assistant Principal II allowance subject to the conditions at (a) and (b) below...”

Where a two teacher school subsequently becomes a three teacher, as per section 14.4 “In the event that the staffing of the school has increased to a level which meets the threshold for a Deputy Principal, as set out in Table 2.1.1, it will be the teacher in receipt of the allowance that will be appointed to the post. Note: An open competition shall be held to fill a Deputy Principal post where such a vacancy will exist from 2022/2023 school year onwards”.

This circular was agreed following consultation with the Education Partners.