Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
87. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department intends to issue an information or technical note to extend the temporary suspension of the 90-day limit for primary school teachers on career breaks undertaking substitute teaching work for the upcoming school year; the anticipated date of publication for this directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44312/26]
View answerThe terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers are contained in the department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7). A Career Break is a period of unpaid special leave for not less than 1 school year. It may be extended on an annual basis provided the total period of the Career Break does not exceed 5 years at any one time, subject to an overall maximum of 10 years absence during a teacher’s career.
Under the Career Break Scheme, a teacher may not be employed in an approved teaching or special needs assistant post funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.
However, in exceptional circumstances, an employer may appoint a qualified teacher on Career Break for substitute teaching purposes subject to a maximum of (a) 90 days in a school year at primary level and (b) 300 hours in a school year at post primary level.
The aforementioned substitute teaching restrictions were suspended for the last number of school years in response to issues raised in relation to teacher supply.
Information Note TC/IN 0005/2025 titled ’Temporary changes to the Career Break Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools-2025/26 School Year’ published in June 2025, informed employers and teachers of the temporary change to the Career Break Scheme for the 2025/26 school year. As stated in the Information Note, this is a temporary arrangement and is due to cease at the end of the 2025/2026 school year.
An extension of these provisions for the 2026/27 school year is currently under consideration and will require further consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
Once a decision has been made, it will be circulated to the relevant stakeholders.
