andDeputy Allen asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the parlous position of the students of the vocational schools in County Wexford, particularly of those who were to have taken the certificate examination this summer, he will take immediate steps to have the schools reopened and tuition recommenced.
Private Notice Question: - County Wexford Vocational Schools.
Nobody is more perturbed than I am about the educational disabilities now being experienced by the students of the County Wexford Vocational Schools. I have just caused an inquiry to be held into the suspension of three vocational teachers in that county. The inquiry has now been completed and I am awaiting a report from the officer who conducted the inquiry. Until I have an opportunity of considering the report the only thing I can usefully do now is to ask both committee and teachers to put the welfare of the students above their disagreements, however profound these may be.
Would the Minister not agree that this is a frightening and tragic position in Wexford where 2,000 students have been without education for a number of weeks and have no prospects of education in the coming weeks? Quite a large number of them are preparing for their intermediate and leaving certificate? Would he agree further that he is the only man in this State who has the power to bring together all the parties concerned, to hammer their heads together in the interests of the students, and to come up with a solution that will have those students back in school within the next few days?
Is the Minister further aware that a number of parents who have children doing examinations this year and pupils have had nervous breakdowns due to this school strike? Does he honestly feel at this late stage that his public inquiry will achieve anything? How soon does he hope to have the pupils back in the schoolrooms again?
Mr. R. Burke
I share what I take to be the concern of the two Deputies who have spoken about the disabilities which these pupils are labouring under at the moment in not receiving tuition in the vocational schools in County Wexford. I will shortly receive a report from the officer of my Department who conducted the inquiry. Until I have got that report there is nothing I can usefully add to what I have already said, that is, to ask both the committee and the teachers—and I would invite Deputies opposite to join with me in inviting the committee and the teachers—to put the welfare of the students above their disagreements however profound they may be. I can articulate the desire of this House that our joint request, I would hope, to the teachers and the VEC would be heeded.
How soon does the Minister hope to have a decision on the public inquiry? When does he hope to make an announcement on the result of the public inquiry.
Mr. R. Burke
That would depend, as the Deputy will appreciate, on how soon I get the report which I am expecting.
When does the Minister hope to have it?
Mr. R. Burke
As soon as possible. I cannot say within two days or ten days. I do not know how long it will be.
A week or a fortnight?
Mr. R. Burke
It is not the receipt of the report of the inquiry which will bring about an amelioration in the situation. It is the people—and I am sure Deputies opposite will join me in this—who will respond to the request of the elected Minister for Education speaking on behalf of all parties in the House, I would take it——
All sides.
Mr. R. Burke
——to both teachers and the VEC to put their disagreements behind them for the welfare of the children of that county. I can do no more than say that at the moment. I think I can ask Deputies opposite to join with me in that.
I do not think there is any cause for acrimony, but does the Minister agree that the Gorey situation which is the subject of the inquiry is only part of the dispute? Would he agree to do a Kissinger on it and go down to Wexford and ask them to suspend all hostilities until June or July, and then put the whole thing properly through an inquiry and settle it and have it ready for 1974-75?
Mr. R. Burke
I have taken note of the various points made by Deputy Wilson. I will consider them in the context of whatever proposals I intend to operate as and from this point. It is a little early yet to say that I can accept all of Deputy Wilson's points, but I certainly will consider them. I assert to the Dáil that I have settled a strike in this area in my term of office. I had hoped that the disagreements and the disabilities under which the children labour there had been settled. I acted with speed in lifting the suspension of the three teachers who were suspended by the VEC. I ordered an inquiry as quickly as I could. I am now reiterating my appeal on behalf of this House to the parties concerned. I will take whatever appropriate action I can take in the next few weeks. I cannot at this moment give the Dáil an indication of this, but I can assure Deputies that I will leave no stone unturned within my sphere of activity to bring about a solution to this problem. I ask publicly for a reciprocal gesture on the part of all those involved. The best gesture on behalf of those involved would be to sink their disagreements at this point.
All sides to the dispute.
Mr. R. Burke
Yes. We have conducted the inquiry in Wexford. I am awaiting the results and, however much personally I should like to intervene, I can do nothing further than ask the people to go back to work and ask the VEC and the teachers to sink their differences. That is as much as I can say at this point.
We all hope that the pupils will be able to go back to school. I am sure the Minister is aware that there has been unrest in Wexford in vocational education for as long as I have been in politics, and that is 12 years. Does he honestly think that the public inquiry held in my own home town will solve the difficulties we have had in vocational education in Wexford over the past 12 years and longer?
Mr. R. Burke
I do not think it would be appropriate to reply to the Deputy in relation to that matter at this point.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.10 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 5th March, 1974.