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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1946

Vol. 102 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Teachers' Strike.

asked the Minister for Education whether he has received copies of resolutions from meetings of parents and other bodies, requesting the immediate resumption of the education of children, who are at present being denied a right which is guaranteed by Article 42 of the Constitution; if he will state what reply he has given to such demands; and further what are his proposals for the future education of some 49,000 Dublin children whose schooling has been interrupted by the teachers' strike.

I have received copies of a number of resolutions in the terms indicated by the Deputy. I have already fully stated the Government's position in this matter. I would remind the Deputy that it is solely as a result of the action of the teachers in withdrawing their services that some 40,000 Dublin children have been deprived of their constitutional right to education. I can, therefore, only repeat what I have previously said, that in the interests of the pupils the teachers should terminate this ill-advised strike.

Will the Minister pay them decent salaries?

asked the Minister for Education if he will state the amount of money saved by the State, on teachers' salaries and other payments, arising out of the teachers' strike which has been in progress in Dublin for the past three months; and if he will indicate to what purpose it is proposed to devote the moneys thus saved.

The strike of national teachers in the Dublin area has resulted in a reduction of approximately £99,000 in the amount which would normally be payable under the heading of teachers' salaries (including bonus for special qualifications and emergency bonus) in respect of the period from the 20th March to the 30th June, inclusive; in addition, the total sum payable to principal and vice-principal teachers, who are on strike, by way of annual capitation grant for the year ended 31st March, 1946, was reduced by about £365, owing to their absence from duty from the 20th to the 31st March, inclusive. I am naturally unable to give figures as to the effect which the strike will have on the payment of annual capitation grant in respect of the period from the 1st April, onwards.

I do not quite understand the point in the second part of the Deputy's question. I may say, however, that my Department will pay teachers for services duly rendered but it cannot issue payment to teachers who refuse their services. If such refusal on the part of teachers leads to a reduction in expenditure I cannot agree that the question arises of utilising the sums thus unexpended for any other purpose.

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