Teachers only working 80% of paid substitution hours

TEACHERS paid almost €1,800 for supervision and substitution duties are only being called on to work 80% of the hours for which they make themselves available, the Comptroller and Auditor General has found.

The supervision and substitution (S&S) scheme introduced in 2003 cost the Department of Education around €90 million in 2007, of which €35m was spent in 480 secondary, community and comprehensive schools.

The C&AG John Buckley’s audit during the 2007/2008 school year focused on how the scheme operates at second level. Teachers who sign must provide 37 hours of supervision or substitution cover annually for absent colleagues. They are paid €1,789, based on an hourly rate of €48.35. Schools are given a similar amount to allow them pay outside staff.