asked the Minister for Education whether his Department has instructed schools, which had appointed new teachers prior to the receipt of the circular of 12th May concerning teacher recruitment, to revoke such appointments; and, if so, whether he will immediately reverse these retrospective measures.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teacher Recruitment.
36.
As part of the process of ensuring that the demands on State funds would not place an undue burden on the taxpayer an examination of various services was carried out. This examination disclosed among other things that our pupil/teacher ratio in post-primary schools was so liberal as compared with other countries that a saving could be effected in this area without damage to the education being offered to the pupils.
Schools were accordingly requested not to enter into arrangements for the employment of additional staff without first seeking the authority of the Department and giving a full statement of the reasons which made any additional appointments necessary. No instruction other than that contained in the Department's circular has been issued to school managers.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in one instance the relevant member of a religious order went to the Department about appointments made before she had received this circular and was told quite simply: "You are to cancel them. That is that. There is no going back on it", and would the Parliamentary Secretary, in view of the contrast between that and the answer he has given, look into the matter and arrange that, whatever about the future, there will be no retrospective cancellation of appointments?
If the Deputy will furnish me with the information, I will have it looked into.
Would the Minister give sympathetic consideration to schools, particularly boarding schools, which have been understaffed and which have now a large increase in their student population and would certainly need to employ more staff and in cases where arrangements have already been made with teachers?
I can tell the Deputy, in fact, that many such applications are already under consideration and some decisions have been taken already. Every case will be considered on its merits and if there are special merits of the type mentioned by the Deputy I am sure they will be fully considered.