Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
310. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of employees under the supervision and substitution scheme in each of the years from 2020 to 2025; if any participants in this scheme have transitioned to other roles within the schools in which they are employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31649/26]
View answerThe Supervision and Substitution Scheme allows for the supervision of students during breaks and before and after school and to allow for substitution to cover certain categories of teacher absences. This includes providing substitution cover for short term and unexpected absences in schools, such as all uncertified sick leave absences or to cover the first day of force majeure leave or illness in family leave.
With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme is compulsory for all post primary teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements prior to this date.
The Supervision scheme is compulsory for Primary School teachers while there is no provision to opt-out of the scheme at primary level.
Circular 0047/2017 subsequently set out the arrangements whereby teachers who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme under Circular 0006/2014 could opt back in to the Supervision and Substitution scheme.
With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, each teacher participating in the scheme has been required to provide 43 hours supervision and substitution per annum.
Teachers working less than full hours other than those employed on a casual basis will have a liability to deliver supervision and substitution on a pro-rata basis.
There are currently 2488 (includes those on career break) teachers in the post primary Voluntary or Community and Comprehensive Sector who are opted out of the Supervision and Substitution Scheme, of a total of 24,524 teachers (2024/25 school year). The majority of teachers therefore participate in the S&S scheme.
Details of the hours carried out by individual teachers as part of these schemes at both Primary and Post Primary level, along with other roles performed, are recorded locally in schools and this detail is not held by the Department.
Department of Education Circular 006/2014 sets out details of the Supervision and Substitution Scheme (S&S) which operates in post primary schools. Circular 33/2013 sets out the details of the Supervision scheme as it operates in Primary schools.
