218. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration has been given to aligning the deadline for career break applications with the publication of policies relating to substitute teaching by teachers on career break, in order to provide greater certainty to teachers when making decisions affecting their employment and income. [66207/26]

The terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers are contained in the department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 (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.

As per the agreed terms of the Career Break Scheme, a teacher seeking a Career Break must submit the completed Application Form to the employer not later than 1st February of each school year.

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 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 titled ’Temporary changes to the Career Break Scheme for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools-2026/27 School Year’ published on September 2nd, informed employers and teachers of the temporary change to the Career Break Scheme for the 2026/27 school year. As stated in the Information Note, this is a temporary arrangement and is due to cease at the end of the 2026/2027 school year.

As is the case with all non-statutory leave, each scheme is tailored to the needs of each individual sector following detailed consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers.

The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Department of Education and Youth. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC. The current application procedures of the Career Break Scheme, as detailed in the Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019, were formulated at TCC.

While every effort is made to ensure that any temporary arrangements are notified to the relevant bodies is a timely manner, unavoidable delays are possible within the review process.

It is not currently planned to make any permanent amendments to the terms of the Career Break Scheme for teachers as set out in Circular 0054/2019.