Written answers
Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Department of Education and Skills
School Staff
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the current release day allocation of one release day per week for teaching principals will be maintained beyond the academic year 2021-2022 pursuant to circular 50/2021; the analysis her Department has carried out in this regard; the engagement her Department has had with teaching principals on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50050/21]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am keenly aware of the huge contribution made by all Principals in our schools, including teaching principals.
The COVID-19 supports provided under The Roadmap for the Full Return to School in 2020, included specific funding to support Principals who undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding provided each teaching principal with a minimum of one release day per week. Schools have been advised that, in the context of COVID-19, the additional allocation of Principal Release Days will remain in place for the 2021/22 school year and each school with a teaching principal will have 37 Principal Release Days.
Budget 2022 has maintained these Principal Release Days going forward.
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