1444. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has plans to review the conditions placed on primary school teachers undertaking substitute teaching work while on career break such as the 90-day limit, the 40-day flat rate rule and all other conditions of career breaks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63171/26]

The terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers are contained in my department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7). A Career Break is a period of unpaid special leave for not less than 1 school year. It may be extended on an annual basis provided the total period of the Career Break does not exceed 5 years at any one time, subject to an overall maximum of 10 years absence during a teacher’s career.

Under the Career Break Scheme, a teacher may not be employed in an approved teaching or special needs assistant post funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.

However, in exceptional circumstances, an employer may appoint a qualified teacher on Career Break for substitute teaching purposes subject to a maximum of (a) 90 days in a school year at primary level and (b) 300 hours in a school year at post primary level.

The aforementioned limits on the provision of substitute teaching by teachers on Career Break were suspended on a temporary basis for the last number of school years in response to issues raised in relation to teacher supply.

Information Note TC/IN 0002/2026 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.