1233. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 417 of 16 June 2026, the reason no further review or reform of the CID and fixed-term employment arrangements is required given her Department has acknowledged that it does not hold the information necessary to establish the extent to which teachers are working recurring teaching hours on successive temporary or substitute contracts; the evidence or assessment that supports the decision not to undertake a further review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61556/26]

As previously outlined, an Expert Group was established to consider and report on the level of fixed-term and part-time employment in teaching which gave rise to the provisions outlined in Department Circulars 23/15 and 24/15. These circulars provided for the award of a CID after a period of continuous employment of two years, subject to satisfying the relevant criteria set out in the Circulars.

The provisions set out in these circulars were subsequently amended by Department Circulars 20/26 and 21/26, which subsequently reduced the period of continuous employment of one year, subject to satisfying the relevant criteria set out in the circulars.

The rules setting out the eligibility for a CID apply to all Oireacthas funded schools/ETB and schools must follow the rules for the award of a CID. Where a teacher is not awarded a CID and they believe that they were entitled to a CID, a teacher may submit an appeal in relation to the decision of the school not to award a CID to the teacher.

It is the responsibility of each school/ETB to ensure that they comply with all relevant employment legislation and to ensure that they comply with the provisions of all relevant recruitment and appointment circulars issued by the Department of Education and Youth.

There are no further reforms or reviews proposed to be undertaken of the provisions of Circulars 20/2026 and 21/2026 at this time.