Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has welcomed the commitment from Education and Skills Minister Ruairí Quinn that schools must give priority to qualified, registered, unemployed teachers when substitute or temporary employment becomes available.
MEP Higgins had raised the issue of retired, and in some cases unqualified, teachers getting such work.
In his response Minister Quinn stated: “My Department has issued a new circular to all primary and post primary schools regarding the employment of teachers. This circular will take effect for all teachers employed on or after September 1 of this year. The circular will oblige all schools to maintain a list of suitably qualified registered teachers, who are available for substitution work at short notice.
“Schools will only be permitted to employ retired teachers where they can show that no qualified, registered teacher was available, and only for a very limited period of time.
“This is an issue which I will continue to monitor and I will eagerly await a report of the implementation of the circular and sincerely hope that it will help our young graduates to get work and stay in Ireland.”
