Vol. 526 No. 3
432 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty being encountered by an all-Irish primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in recruiting suitable staff; if he is prepared to ensure that the qualified rate is paid to a teacher who is substituting in view of the fact that this teacher would enjoy the qualified rate in a different school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26706/00]
Teachers in primary schools are appointed and employed by the managerial authority of the school. In the event that the managerial authority of a primary school is unable to obtain the services of a fully qualified teacher at a particular time they may appoint a person who is not fully trained in a temporary capacity. The managerial authority must continue to make every effort to obtain the services of a fully qualified person, including re-advertising the post.
I would like to clarify the position relating to the particular teacher mentioned by the Deputy. Substitute teachers are employed where a teacher is absent on paid sick leave or maternity leave, whereas temporary teachers are employed where a teacher takes unpaid leave of absence. The teacher in question, who is currently on career break from her teaching post, was employed by this particular school as a temporary teacher pending the appointment of a permanent teacher. Under career break regulations, teachers cannot take up employment in a temporary or permanent capacity in a primary school. Should a board of management appoint a teacher who is on career break to a short-term temporary position, it is on the understanding that the teacher is paid at the unqualified rate. Accordingly, it is not possible to pay this teacher at the trained common basic scale rate while she serves in a temporary capacity in the school.
