Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
473. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of funding currently allocated to post-primary school for the employment of substitute teachers; the basis on which this allocation is calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16847/26]
View answer474. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the grant or allocation provided to schools for each substitute teacher cover has increased in each of the past 20 years; to provide a year-by-year breakdown of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16848/26]
View answer475. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the allocation for substitute teacher cover has remained unchanged over the past two decades despite increases in salary scales and cost-of-living pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16849/26]
View answer500. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the changes that have occurred in substitute teacher daily rates and salary scales over the past 20 years; if she will provide a breakdown of these changes by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16981/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 473, 474, 475 and 500 together.
My Department meets the cost of salaries and allowances of teachers employed in primary, voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools, including the costs of substitute teacher cover.
There is no specific allocation to schools for substitute teacher pay. Substitute costs are met from the Department's overall budget provision.
Daily and hourly rates of substitute pay are increased in line with increases to teachers pay under wage agreements such as the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.
Updated rates are outlined in my Department's circular letters on the pay increase applied from 1 February 2026, links to which are copied below:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/revision-of-primary-teacher-salaries-under-the-public-service-agreement-2024-2026-effective-from-01-february-2026/
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/revision-of-post-primary-teacher-salaries-under-the-public-service-agreement-2024-2026-effective-from-01-february-2026/
