1491. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if teachers holding AP1 posts-assistant principal grade 1 in community and comprehensive schools are entitled to a reduction of four hours per week in teaching time from 21 hours 20 minutes to 17 hours 20 minutes; the circular under which this arrangement was authorised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26524/26]

The class contact time for Assistant Principal I posts in Community and Comprehensive Schools is 18 hours per week, reduced to 17hrs and 20 minutes for Assistant Principal Is who have an involvement in the Junior Cert. The reduction in class contact time allows for the Assistant Principal I to fulfil their teaching responsibilities while managing the leadership requirements of their position.

In addition, Circular 0003/2018 also allows for a reduction in hours in section 3.4 (v) for Programme Co-ordinator post holders for co-ordination purposes.

The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Department of Education and Youth.

The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC through engagement with the School Management Bodies and the Teacher Unions.