asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to take any disciplinary action in the case of the teacher against whom damages of £100 and costs were awarded at Ennis court for assaulting a child at school; whether the teacher is still teaching in the school, and if so, whether his approval has been sought and given to this course.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Ennis Teacher.
Appropriate official action has been taken in this case. The teacher is still employed in the school. As the official action taken did not involve withdrawal of recognition from the teacher, the question of approval of her continued employment did not arise.
Does the Minister really believe that a person responsible for punishing a child in this way is a fit person to continue to teach in a school, particularly in view of the fact that this child is still, I understand, a pupil of the school?
You want more Teddy boys. Start in your own constituency first.
As the Deputy is aware, the manager is the employer. Appropriate action, I am informed, has been taken in this case, but I do not think it is the practice of the Department to describe the nature of the disciplinary action taken in cases of this kind.
I appreciate the Minister's difficulty acting as deputy for the Minister. Would he recommend to the Department that they reconsider this case which a Deputy opposite has described as Teddyboyism on the part of a teacher to a pupil in the school?
I said you are encouraging Teddy boys.
I am quite satisfied that every aspect of the matter was considered by the Department and the Minister before action was taken.