I 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/