(Cavan) asked the Minister for Education if he will intimate to Cavan Vocational Education Committee immediately that he is prepared to sanction the employment and payment of two part-time teachers in Glangevlin vocational school so that the common intermediate certificate course may be provided in that school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cavan Vocational Teacher.
53.
Mr. O'Malley
The problems arising from the desire to provide a full three-year intermediate certificate course for both boys and girls in a two-room school at a smaller centre such as Glangevlin are more far-reaching than can be solved simply by the employment of part-time teachers for the first year of the course.
In the case of Glangevlin, I am having the matter examined by an inspector in consultation with the chief executive officer and will communicate the result to the Deputy and to the vocational education committee.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that, for the time being at any rate, the committee would be satisfied with the provision of the first year course? That has been arranged in another school in Cavan and is quite satisfactory. Furthermore, Glangevlin is an exceptional area which should be entitled to exceptional treatment. Is the Minister prepared to take the necessary steps now to sanction the employment of these two teachers to enable the first year course to go ahead at once?
Mr. O'Malley
The committee has not proposed to me the appointment of any new part-time teachers. If and when such a proposal is submitted to me for approval, it will be considered on its merits in the light of my inspector's report. However, I agree with the Deputy that a unique position arises in this school.
(Cavan): Is the Minister saying he has not got any proposals from the CEO, either in writing or over the telephone, about this school?
Mr. O'Malley
No request has been received from County Cavan Vocational Education Committee to sanction the appointment of two part-time teachers, as the Deputy suggests. However, the Deputy seems to be just as well informed as, if not better than, I am. He is quite right in implying that I did ascertain orally from the CEO that a proposal will be placed by him on the agenda for the next meeting of the committee which will take place on 21st November.
(Cavan): I hope the Minister will approve of this proposal immediately it reaches him.