Only 5% of school vacancies filled

JUST over 60 vacant school management posts – fewer than one-in-20 – have been filled under a scheme designed to ease pressure on the running of second-level schools.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan got Department of Finance clearance in July to allow schools worst affected by the public service promotions ban in place since March 2009 make some appointments.

While schools are entitled to fill vacant principal and deputy principal jobs, they are not allowed to promote or appoint staff to lower management posts, such as assistant principal or special duties teacher, which carry annual allowances of €8,520 and €3,769.