1480. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will clarify whether job-sharing teachers will be permitted to undertake substitute teaching work on their non-working days during the 2026/27 school year; if a decision on this matter has been made by her Department; if discussions have taken place, or are ongoing, with education stakeholders including the INTO regarding the continuation of the temporary arrangements that have applied in recent years; when a formal announcement can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63323/26]

The Job-Sharing Scheme for teachers is contained in Chapter 8 of the Department’s Circular Letter Circular 0054/2019 titled ‘Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers Employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’. Paragraph 11.1(a) of the Job-Sharing Scheme states a teacher may not engage in any substitute teaching whilst job sharing.

In response to issues raised in relation to teacher supply, the restriction on engaging in substitute teaching, imposed in the Job-Sharing Scheme, has been suspended on a temporary basis over the last number of years.

Information Note TC/IN 0001/2026 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.