asked the Minister for Education if woodwork teachers in training at Bolton Street technical school are to be sent to Carraroe, County Galway, to do a Ceard Teastas course during July and August; and, if so, if it is correct that whilst at Carraroe these teachers will be required to work as labourers on the erection of a school there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ceard Teastas Course for Woodwork Teachers.
The students in training as teachers of woodwork at Bolton Street technical school commenced their special course in the Irish language and in practical building construction at Carraroe on the 2nd June. This course will continue until the end ofAugust. It is not correct to say that the students will be required to work as labourers on the erection of a school in Carraroe. The County Galway Vocational Education Committee, under whose auspices the course is being conducted, will provide building labourers to whatever extent required for the building project undertaken in connection with the part of the course related to practical building construction.
Would the Minister say if these teachers will work in any capacity on the erection of the school? The Minister said in his reply that they would not be required to work as labourers.
These courses are designed to give the students information and practical training in all aspects of building construction. If they have to do any particular work in order to learn how to do that work I do not see anything wrong with that. They are not employed or would not be employed specifically as labourers. As students they must learn every apect of building construction.
My only concern is that they would not be doing a job which ordinarily would be done by men at present unemployed in the locality.
I do not think that arises.
I think it does arise.