A guide to elected representatives leave for second-level teachers in Ireland.
Oireachtas
The past conditions that existed in relation to Oireachtas leave no longer apply to teachers. For those seeking an approved period of absence for the purpose of Oireachtas leave, you must now make an application for a Career Break.
For further details on the Career Break scheme, please refer to Career Break Scheme - Circular Letter 0054/2019 - Chapter 7
In the case of a teacher who is a candidate for election as a TD in a General Election, unpaid leave will be granted for all days from the date of the candidate's lodgement of his/ her nomination papers up to and including the day(s) of the count. In these cases, substitution cover will be paid by the Department of Education.
Local Elections
Teachers who are candidates in the local authority elections are entitled to leave on the election day.
Public Bodies
Teachers who are members of County Councils or statutory local bodies may absent themselves for up to 10 days in each school year for the purpose of attending meetings arising out of their membership of such bodies. This is paid leave and a substitute is not provided by the Department of Education. The permission of the Manager/Principal is necessary.
