Teachers' career breaks
Deputy Whitmore asks whether the Government plans to suspend teachers’ career breaks. The Tánaiste denies any such decision or proposal and says career breaks remain important, though some terms and rules may be reviewed.
The plan to suspend teacher career breaks was apparently signed off on at an incorporeal Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night. Incredibly, the Department and Minister for Education believe the best way to recruit and retain teachers in the system is to reduce their terms and conditions. Does the Tánaiste agree with the proposal to suspend career breaks for teachers?
Comment on this
There was no such incorporeal meeting that I was party to and no decision has been made that I am aware of to suspend teachers' career breaks.
Comment on this
So this is not a Government proposal.
Comment on this
Let me say this. I think the provision for career breaks is a very important one. There are lots of good reasons people may need to take a career break, often personal and family reasons, as the Deputy appreciates. The fact that the provision for career breaks exists in the public service helps encourage people into the public service and is more likely to make them stay than leave. While there may be an examination of some of the exact terms, conditions and rules around that, there is not a proposal to stop career breaks. I want to make that clear.