Written answers

Wednesday, 7 July 2021

Department of Education and Skills

School Staff

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has guidance and or a policy concerning the publication of shortlisting criteria for candidates who apply for teaching positions in public schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36740/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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).

In accordance with Department , which is available on the Department’s website under www.education.ie, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.

As outlined in section 11.3, chapter 2 of Circular 44/2019 it is a matter for the Interview Board to establish criteria for the assessment of applications.

“The Interview Board shall meet as soon as practical and shall establish agreed criteria for the assessment of the applications and for interview prior to opening of the applications received. In establishing the criteria, the following factors shall be taken into account, having regard to the requirements of the particular post and the Rules for National Schools, though not exclusively nor necessarily in this order:-

- Professional Qualifications

- Registration with the Teaching Council

- Teaching experience

- Other relevant experience e.g. experience in Special Needs, multiclass teaching, etc.

Care must be taken to ensure that the criteria do not lead to discrimination on the grounds set out in Section 6(2) of the Employment Equality Acts, 1998-2008 i.e., gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and member of the Travelling Community.”

In the case of Community National Schools, the ETB will ensure that the criteria for assessment incorporates those identified in section 11.3.

The criteria selected must reflect the needs of the school.

As outlined in section 13.1 of chapter 2 “Selection of applicants for interview will be based on an initial assessment of applications against the established criteria.

Per section 13.4- Invitation to interview, shall include details of the established criteria for the post.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.