Ryan O'Meara
Question:569. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to restore the yard duty payment for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6404/26]
View answerTuesday, 27 January 2026
Questions (569)
Written answers
Yard duty falls under the remit of the Supervision & Substitution (S&S) scheme. Prior to 2013, participation in the S&S was voluntary on the part of teachers. In 2013, Circular 0014/2013 set out the rates of payment and hours liability of 37 hours per annum. The hours are spread over the whole school year. Those who opted to join the scheme received an additional allowance rate of €1,769 per annum for those on the payroll prior to 2011 (€1,592 for new entrants to the payroll from 2011).
Other duties under the S&S include supervision of students before and after school and at break and lunch times. In addition, teachers cover for colleagues who are absent on certain types of leave.
Subsequently, under the Haddington Road Agreement and with effect from the 2013/2014 school year, participation in the scheme became compulsory for primary teachers under Circular 0033/2013. The 37 hours liability per annum was increased to 43 hours. Under the HRA the usage of the supervision hours was expanded to include e.g. self-certified sick leave.
Under Circular 0033/2013 the allowance payable to teachers would be discontinued, however a gross additional payment would be included in the incremental scale for teachers in two moieties in the school years 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Circular 0042/2014 provides information on rostering of S&S.
Circular 0006/2014 and Circular 0047/2017 provided for an opt-out of the S&S Scheme for certain teachers. For those who have opted out of S&S, a deduction is applied to their salary equivalent to €1,769/€1,592 (pre/post 2011 teachers) annually. The opt out was considered to be irrevocable, however in for the school year 2022/2023 and onwards a concession was made for teachers who had previously opted out and subsequently became promoted to principals/deputy principals since opting out could apply to opt back in. However, they were not permitted to opt back out again and are required to carry out the duties.
The current pay agreement, Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, contains a local bargaining provision under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. Over the course of recent collective agreements, amendments have been agreed which have seen the value of certain allowances previously withdrawn being integrated into “new entrant” teacher pay. Examples are the equivalent of an honour’s primary degree allowance and the PME allowance.
Additional amendments to teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the Public Service unions. As this is one of the matters that may come under consideration under the local bargaining provision of the PSA 2024-2026 and as such matters under industrial relations processes are confidential to the parties it would not be appropriate for the Minister to comment any further at this time.