1446. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she supports the extension of 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. [63169/26]

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.