Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 19 October 2022, if her Department will allow cover for teacher absences through the use of substitutes given that the school in question does not have supervision hours; the way in which the primary school can obtain permission from her Department to cover such absences through the substitute teachers scheme when supervision hours are not available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53622/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s Circular Letter 0032/2007 for primary teachers and Circular Letter 0054/2019 for primary and post primary teachers, details the agreed terms and conditions for the main leave types currently available, including the provision for substitute cover.

Regarding ‘Illness in Family’ Leave and ‘Force Majeure’ Leave, the employer may appoint a substitute teacher paid by my Department, in line with Circular Letter 0032/2007, except for the first day of these absences.

In a primary school with two or less mainstream teachers, the employer may appoint a substitute paid by my Department for the first day of a teacher’s absence on ‘Illness in Family Leave or ‘Force Majeure’ Leave.

In any primary school, where two or more teachers are absent on the first day of ‘Illness in Family Leave or ‘Force Majeure’ Leave, on the same day, the employer may appoint a substitute paid by my Department for the second teacher and subsequent teachers.