asked the Minister for Education whether the Government intend to accept and implement the recent report of the tribunal on teachers' salaries in view of the fact (a) that it proposes scales of salary and allowances which, compared with their present level of remuneration, would represent a substantial loss in the total earnings of the great majority of secondary teachers and (b) that, by proposing considerably reduced allowances in respect of honours university qualifications, it seems to be inconsistent with the policy of his Department to attract the most highly qualified people into the teaching profession.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salaries of Teachers.
39.
Pending consideration of this report by the Government, I am not in a position to make any statement in relation to it. I must say, however, that I do not accept the implications of (a) or (b) in the Deputy's question.
When the Minister does come to consider this matter fully and implement it to some extent, will he give an undertaking that the conditions of service of secondary teachers will not be worsened, that their remuneration, pension rights and gratuities will not be lowered and that they will not suffer any loss in respect of honours qualification gratuities?
I can give it.