Written answer
School Staff
The Senior Cycle Redevelopment Co-ordinator is a permanent post additional to the usual posts of responsibility, with existing AP1 holders subject to the provisions governing appointment to a new post. Its eligibility, enrolment thresholds, timetable alleviation and duties will be reviewed in 2030/31, but its permanent status will remain unchanged.
264. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will clarify whether an existing permanent AP1 teacher must permanently relinquish their substantive, secure AP1 position to take up the new senior cycle redevelopment role, given that the availability of the new post is contingent on fluctuating school enrolment numbers and subject to a stated review in 2031. [66461/26]
Comment on this
265. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will clarify the position under Circular Letter 0037/2026 regarding the new senior cycle redevelopment co-ordinator posts of responsibility; specifically, the status of an existing permanent Assistant Principal I (AP1) post holder who successfully applies for and is appointed to this newly created position. [66460/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
As the Deputy is aware, in April 2026 my Department published Circular 0037/2026 providing for a new Post of Responsibility in schools to support the implementation of Senior Cycle: the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Co-Ordinator.
This post was committed to in the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures (SCRISM) document published in May 2025, following extensive negotiations with both the ASTI and the TUI.
The SCR Co-ordinator post is additional to, and does not form part of, the normal cohort of school posts of responsibility. The post responds to the specific needs of a school in relation to supporting the full implementation of the senior cycle redevelopment programme determined by the Minister for Education and Youth. The post concerned is a permanent post.
The eligibility, advertising, selection and appeal processes outlined in circular 0003/2018 or any subsequent circular which supersedes it, are also applicable to the SCR Co-Ordinator post.
The further provisions of Circular 0003/2018 also apply in regard to the filling of the SCR Co-ordinator post, specifically paragraph 3.4 (viii) applies where an existing postholder applies for and is appointed to the Co-ordinator post.
The teacher allocation to a school will provide for the required timetable alleviation. This allocation will continue to be calculated on the total number of students enrolled in Leaving Certificate programmes across 5th and 6th year in the previous academic year.
The SCR Co-ordinator post will be reviewed by the Department during the school year 2030/31 as stated in Circular 0037/2026. The permanent nature of this Senior Cycle Co-ordinator post will not be subject to review, however eligibility criteria, the student enrolment thresholds and the levels of timetable alleviation amongst other matters such as the roles and responsibilities of the role will be reviewed and may be subject to change as a result. The review will take place during the school year in which it is envisaged all subjects will be examined on the basis of redeveloped specifications for the first time.