asked the Minister for Education if he will indicate the grounds upon which he refused to approve of the payment for eight hours which a County Galway part-time teacher would have worked had she not brought a class to the National Drama School League's Festival in Dublin; and if it is his intention to persist in such an attitude in similar circumstances in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay of County Galway Teacher.
Mr. Lynch
It is the practice of my Department not to allow payment, save in very exceptional circumstances, to part-time vocational teachers in respect of hours lost from teaching. The reason is that these teachers are employed by the committees on an hourly basis and are remunerated only in respect of actual teaching services rendered. It is not proposed to depart from this practice.
With regard to the particular case in question, the Department has no information that there were exceptional circumstances involved.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that this somewhat arbitrary decision may have a discouraging effect upon teachers who wish to indulge in such praiseworthy tasks as bringing classes to Dublin for the Drama Festival, as was done in this case?
Mr. Lynch
There are other methods whereby certain benefits can be acquired by such teachers. The alternative is being examined in this particular case but I can give the Deputy no intimation as to the merits of the case in that respect.