asked the Minister for Education if with reference to the recent appointment of a Principal at the Municipal Technical Institute, Limerick, he will state (a) the date upon which the Office of Principal was created or declared vacant, (b) the date upon which sanction to advertise was granted and the special qualifications and experience laid down by his Department as minimum requirements for the post, (c) the date on which the advertisement appeared, (d) the number of applications received for the post, and (e) why the usual procedure in the making of such appointments was not adhered to in this instance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Principal of Limerick Technical Institute.
78.
I have inquired into the matter concerned and find that the Deputy's question appears to be based upon a misconception in relation to the procedure for promotion to higher teaching posts under vocational education committees.
If a committee has already on its staff a teacher suitably qualified for the promotion post, the Department does not generally require that such post be advertised.
In the present instance the post was created at the committee's meeting of the 27th September and the appointment made unanimously by the committee on that day.
The post was required and the member of the staff whom the committee unanimously promoted to it was one of the committee's senior teachers. Sanction for the proposal was accordingly issued on the 17th November, 1961.
Would the Minister say in what manner this post was created?
An extension of the vocational education scheme.
Was there a recorded decision of the Vocational Education Committee in this case? Was there a vote taken?
It was a unanimous decision of the Committee.
Will the Minister state if this appointment existed previously?
No. It has been created. That is the point. It was a new post.
Will the Minister say why the procedure laid down in Memorandum 7 of his Department was not adhered to in this case? Will he also state the terms of this appointment and will he state whether a deputation from the Vocational Teachers' Organisation approached him on this appointment? Will he also state that, in view of the illegality of this appointment, he will readvertise it instead of filling it in the underhand way in which it was done?
The relevant Departmental regulation——
I am not finished yet.
——prescribes that all proposals for appointments in Grade 3 are dealt with by the Minister as they arise. The appropriate qualifications, the scale of salary and the terms and conditions of employment are determined by the Minister. It is not generally required, therefore, that such appointments should be advertised. If, however, a committee has not on its staff already a person suitably qualified for a higher teaching post, the committee is then required to advertise.
Would the Minister say what opportunity teachers had of applying for the post?
The question of appointment came up at the committee meeting. I have the minutes of the meeting.
Produce them.
It was pointed out that other eligible teachers were there. Notwithstanding that, the committee unanimously recommended the appointment.
Is the Minister certain that this was a unanimous decision?
It came to me in writing, through the official channels, as a unanimous decision.
If there is evidence it was not unanimous, would the Minister investigate the whole thing?
Are we to gather that the post was actually created and filled in the same day?
It can be done. It is not the usual procedure of a committee.
Will the Minister say——
The Deputy will please resume his seat.
Will the Minister state——
Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
——Whether this appointment was made because of Party affiliation and for services rendered in the past?
On the question of Party affiliation, the Deputy will appreciate——
The Deputy will appreciate that this is a grievous decision——
Will the Deputy resume his seat?
——a grievous decision arising in the City of Limerick in a school where we have 3,000 students——
No. 79.
——and one man is appointed because of his political associations.
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? I am calling No. 79.
I want an answer.
The appointment was recommended unanimously by the Committee which is composed of members of several political Parties.
That is not true.
No. 79.
It was done in an underhand way because of this man's political affiliations.
If the Deputy continues I must ask him to leave the House.
That would not worry the Deputy. I wish to give notice that I intend raising this matter on the Adjournment.