IPPN

Published: 21 November 2008

Source : Killkenny People

Teachers took almost 60,000 uncertified sick days last year, it emerged.
And according to the Department of Education the state paid out 17 million euro in substitute cover for the sickies. Another 45 million euro was spent on bringing in supply teachers for certified sick leave, where absentees have a doctor's note.

Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe insisted he has to shave 28 million euro off the substitute teacher bill next year, as part of a raft of contentious measures in last month's Budget.

Mr O'Keeffe also accused teachers' unions of scaremongering the public with claims that the education system was facing Armageddon. Appealing directly to the unions, he said: "We're in dire straits financially. We need flexibility. Until we come to the period when the economy comes back, we need co-operation and support."

He added: "I need to cut 28 million euro off substitution costs in 2009. That is a target I have to achieve." Mr O'Keeffe detailed the number of sick days during the 2007-2008 school year at the Oireacthas Committee on Education.

Departmental figures and school records show 12,734 Mondays were lost; 12,139 Tuesdays; 11,407 Wednesdays; 11,131 Thursdays; and 12,581 Fridays without a sick line from doctors.

In total, 608,422 sick days were taken in primary and secondary schools. Some 59,992 days were taken without medical certs. In primary, secondary, community and VEC schools around 11% of sick days are uncertified. Substitute teachers cost the state an estimated 183 million euro, according to the Department.

John Carr, INTO general secretary, disputed the figures claiming: "Teachers in general have top class attendance records and only take time off when absolutely necessary. In fact, many teachers turn up when not fit to be at work." The INTO said cutting the substitute teaching budget would cause chaos in schools.

Former Government TD Joe Behan, who quit Fianna Fail over Budget measures on medical cards for over-70s, claimed the Cabinet got it wrong by cutting education funding. "The Government made a very serious mistake by not prioritising the education needs of young people," he told the Oireachtas Education Committee.