asked the Minister for Education the average percentage salary increase granted to (a) national teachers, (b) secondary teachers, and (c) vocational teachers since 1st January 1960.
72.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teachers' Salary Increase.
71.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Education if the percentage increase paid to national teachers was greater than that paid to secondary teachers.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
The percentages by which the maxima of the salary scales, exclusive of rent allowance element, have been increased since 1960 for the three groups of teachers are as follows:—
National teachers, 44 per cent; secondary teachers, 34 per cent on "standard salary"; vocational teachers, 35 per cent.
Will the Minister not agree that the difficulties which have arisen between himself and the secondary teachers are entirely due to the percentages he has read out?
These percentages are the result of the operation of the machinery of conciliation and arbitration, sometimes agreement at conciliation level, sometimes a decision by the arbitrator. They are the result of fair means, as far as we can devise fair means, of determining what the salaries should be. If the Deputy has any suggestion about a new means of doing it, I would be glad to hear it.
I do not know who the conciliators are or who the arbitrator is but the percentage increases do not seem to meet the case or to meet the ordinary tenets of justice.
That is a matter of opinion. If the Deputy is of opinion that he should support one claim against another, that is his business, but this is the result of independent machinery.
I am not supporting one claim against another, but if one group of teachers gets a certain percentage increase, surely the others are entitled to the same increase? That seems to be ordinary justice. If the idea is to expand secondary education, I do not know how it will be done if the teachers are treated in this way.
Their opinions have already been expressed outside this House by opposing groups.