asked the Minister for Education if he will agree to the upgrading of County Dublin VEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin VEC.
97.
Mr. R. Burke
A salary claim for chief executive officers was recently considered by an arbitration board set up under the scheme of conciliation and arbitration. Until a decision is announced in relation to the findings of the board it would not be appropriate for me to make observations in regard to any matter which would have a bearing on the salary of an individual chief executive officer.
While I appreciate the Minister's position with regard to the chief executive officer, would he not agree, in view of the massive expansion which is taking place within the boundaries of County Dublin and the expansion of the VEC commitment in County Dublin, that a necessary upgrading of this scheme in County Dublin is very necessary at this stage?
Mr. R. Burke
For the reasons already given to the Deputy I am not at liberty to make an observation on the matter. I have noted his views.
When does the Minister expect to have the information he spoke about earlier?
Mr. R. Burke
I do not know when the decision in regard to the chief executive officer will be made.
98.
asked the Minister for Education if he will agree to the appointment of an education officer to County Dublin VEC.
Mr. R. Burke
A proposal from the vocational education committee in this connection was carefully considered in my Department but it was not considered that in all the circumstances the creation of such a post would be warranted.
This is a most unsatisfactory answer. Is the Minister aware, for the same reasons I stated in my supplementary on the previous question, that the massive expansion which has taken place in County Dublin warrants the appointment of an education officer? In fact, it warrants the appointment of two or three officers because of the added education courses which are taking place, the expansion which is taking place and because——
The Deputy is making a statement.
Would the Minister not reconsider this decision?
Mr. R. Burke
I do not wish to get involved in an argument with the Deputy on this matter for the reasons stated in reply to the previous question. I have noted his views on this matter. I take account of the very heavy load on the VEC but I am afraid I am not in a position to engage in dialogue with him at this stage.
I fail to see how the appointment of an education officer can in any way——
We cannot have a debate on this matter at this stage.
Would the Minister not agree that the appointment of an education officer has nothing whatever to do with the upgrading of the VEC?
This is argumentative. It is not a question. Question No. 99.