To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) what steps she has taken to employ recently graduated teachers to fill staffing gaps in schools created by COVID-19-related absences; and (ii) her assessment of the relative COVID-19 risks in schools for teachers recently graduated and recently retired, with respect to their ages.

The Department of Education does not employ teachers. All teachers are employed by the Board of Governors for each school setting, with human resource matters carried out in consultation with the relevant employing authority. The Department is keen to ensure that graduate teachers are afforded every opportunity not only to gain permanent employment, but also to gain valuable experience by providing substitute cover and by filling temporary vacancies. Following graduation, they are required to register with GTCNI and those who are unable to secure a permanent teaching post may register with NISTR for substitute teaching work.

The health, safety and wellbeing of staff is of paramount importance to all employers in the education sector. All staff, regardless of whether they are recently graduated or recently retired, are required to follow any relevant PHA and employer guidance and to raise any concerns with their principal / line manager in the first instance. Where necessary, the principal will complete a risk-assessment, for example, for CEV or pregnant staff members, and put appropriate mitigations in place.