Public Sector Pensions

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Ceisteanna (414)

Louis O'Hara

Ceist:

414. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 27 May 2026, if her Department has assessed the number of teachers who are employed on substitute or temporary contracts despite teaching recurring hours that continue to exist within schools; the number of the 264 teachers that are employed on contracts covering genuine temporary absences; the number employed on allocation-based hours, including EAL and SEN hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44920/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Youth

The detail requested by the Deputy is not available to the Department. The deployment of teaching resources is the responsibility of the school or ETB, and while the Department is aware of the teachers that have been hired by the school and on what contract for payroll purposes, the Department cannot see how those staff are deployed in the school.

As previously advised, it is a matter for each school/ETB as the employer to ensure that they are in compliance with the relevant employment legislation.

As set out in Department Circulars 20/2026 and 21/2026, a teacher may qualify for the award of a CID on completion of one year of continuous service where the has satisfied the relevant criteria set out in the circular and the school has a viable post available.

The rules setting out the eligibility for a CID apply to all Oireacthas funded schools/ETB and schools must follow the rules for the award of a CID. Where a teacher is not awarded a CID and they believe that they were entitled to a CID, a teacher may submit an appeal in relation to the decision of the school not to award a CID to the teacher.