asked the Minister for Education if his Department have received any representations or report or have made any representations or requests for a report from County Donegal Vocational Education Committee concerning the sick leave or absence from duty or sanctioned leave of absence of a staff member (name supplied) allegedly to enable him to engage in political activities; the content of the communications received; and if he will state in detail the regulations whereby such staff may absent themselves with the sanction of the CEO, the local committee and the Department to engage in such activities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leave of Absence Regulations.
60.
The committee proposed to grant the staff member in question leave of absence to engage in political involvement and my Department refused to sanction the grant of such leave since the only political involvement for which it could have been granted in accordance with the relevant regulations and standard practice would be to take part in an election campaign as a candidate for a parliamentary seat.
May I ask if, following the refusal of the Minister, the teacher in question has been at the school?
Not to my knowledge.
In the circumstances of the teacher having absented himself from the school, could the Minister confirm whether or not the chief education officer approached him and asked him to present himself as a teacher at the school?
I think that is so.
Could the Minister confirm if disquiet was expressed by the CEO and by members of the committee at the fact that because a teacher was not fulfilling his contractual obligation to present himself to teach, the educational facilities of the school were being severely hindered?
I cannot say what comment was made by the CEO. I am informed, however, that the committee have not been able to get a replacement. This is normal enough at this time of the year. It is difficult to get a replacement for a teacher with the particular qualifications that this man had. They have, however, put into the job a man who has some of the qualifications.
In view of the prolonged absence from duty, without departmental sanction, can we assume that if this continues the vocational education committee will make a permanent replacement and fill the post?
This would be a matter for the vocational education committee in the first instance.