School teachers to get dedicated health service

THE country’s 55,000 school teachers will have access to a dedicated health management service in the next year under plans by the Department of Education.

The department already has a wage bill this year of €3.6 billion for permanent teachers, with substitution, sick and maternity leave costs topping €110 million.

The first stage of the occupational health strategy for teachers was put in place a year ago, with the introduction of an employee assistance service.