1445. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department will issue its decision on whether it will extend the temporary suspension of the 90-day limit for primary school teachers on career breaks undertaking substitute teaching work for the upcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63170/26]

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.

Any changes to the terms and conditions of the Career Break scheme can only be made through consultation and agreement with the Education Partners through means of the Teachers Conciliation Council and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

The aforementioned substitute teaching restrictions were suspended 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.