Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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577. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way that section 6 of Circular 50/2021 relating to sequencing of access to substitution for primary teachers will operate in practical terms. [51045/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

In accordance with Department Circular 0044/2019 schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired.

Number 6. of Circular 0050/2021sets out the sequencing of access to substitution for primary schools to assist in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools should have plans in place to access substitutes in the sequence outlined below.

Sequence for covering all teacher absences:

- Supply panel if the school is part of a supply panel cluster arrangement,

- School’s own panel of regular substitutes,

- National substitute service,

- Administrative Principal if applicable

- Local arrangements that facilitate the pupils to be supervised in a manner that does not involve them being split between existing classes in classrooms