asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that notwithstanding the fact that the cost of living is the same for men and women teachers and that they have the same qualifications and do the same work, the woman teacher is placed at the lowest point of a three-point salary scale; and that, in many schools, highly-qualified women teachers are being paid the salary of junior assistant mistresses owing to falling averages, and that in the event of marriage the woman teacher is penalised, whereas the man teacher receives a marriage and rent allowance; and, if so, whether he will consider the matter fully and give an assurance that under the proposed new salary scales the woman teacher will be dealt with fairly and equitably.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salary Scale of Women Teachers.
The general issue of the salaries to be paid to national teachers is at present the subject of examination by a committee under the chairmanship of his Honour, Judge Roe. Until this committee has reported it would be inappropriate that I should discuss or comment on the matters raised in the Deputy's question.