asked the Minister for Education if he will state when the new scheme of technical and continuation education will be introduced, and whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of restoring, in the interim, (a) the bonus to part-time teachers under the Technical, Instruction Committees, and (b) the capitation grants for night-schools; and whether the Minister is aware that many so-called part-time teachers unders the Technical Instruction Committees are solely dependent on the remuneration received for such part-time teaching.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Technical and Continuation Education.
Amending legislation will be necessary before the new Scheme of Technical and Continuation Education can be brought into operation. A Bill for this purpose is at present, actually being drafted by the Parliamentary draftsman, and I hope that it will be introduced before the Christmas recess. I am, therefore, not yet in a position to name the date on which arrangements will be completed for the introduction of a system of continuation education. The reference in the question to the restoration of the part-time teachers' bonus suggests that the remuneration of these teachers has been altered or reduced. This is not the case. Committees employing part-time teachers have permission to continue the payment to these teachers of bonus or temporary additional remuneration on the same lines as hitherto, but the amount of these payments no longer is refunded to the Committees by my Department. As regards grants to night schools, I explained the position fully in the Dáil on the 27th February last, and I cannot reconsider the decision then announced.