Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2026
274. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has considered permitting job-sharing teachers to undertake substitute teaching within their own school on non-teaching days, particularly where this would provide continuity for pupils and assist schools experiencing teacher shortage. [66595/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Job-Sharing Scheme for teachers is contained in Chapter 8 of the Department’s Circular Letter Circular 0054/2019 titled ‘Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers Employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’. Paragraph 11.1(a) of the Job-Sharing Scheme states a teacher may not engage in any substitute teaching whilst job sharing.
In response to issues raised in relation to teacher supply, the restriction on engaging in substitute teaching, imposed in the Job-Sharing Scheme, has been suspended on a temporary basis over the last number of years.
Information Note TC/IN 0001/2026 has recently been published by my Department and provides for the extension of this temporary arrangement until the end of the 2026/27 school year.
