Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the leave that teachers can avail of for reproductive matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21979/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Sick Leave may be granted to a teacher who is unable to perform their duties when absent for the purpose of obtaining medical related services provided such appointments could not have been arranged outside of regular working hours or working days.

The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, which applies to teachers, is regulated by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014, SI 124 of 2014, as amended by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, SI 384 of 2015 and the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, SI No. 407/2023. The Sick Leave Scheme for teachers is contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 0013/2024.

Leave entitlements for public servants, including teachers, are determined by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.

Currently, there is no legislative entitlement to specific leave for Reproductive Healthcare in Ireland and there is no overarching civil service or public sector policy in place.

The Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 was before Dáil Éireann during the last Government. This Bill has lapsed due to the change in Government, but if it had been enacted, it would have provided for a period of paid leave following miscarriage, or for the purpose of availing of reproductive healthcare.

The recognition of a Leave Scheme for IVF treatment is a matter for Government as a whole and is not within the remit of the Department of Education at this time.