asked the Minister for Education the number of lay persons who were appointed to the office of vice-principal in secondary schools in the academic years 1972-73 and 1973-74; and the proportion of the total number of vice-principals in secondary schools which this total constitutes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Vice-Principals.
7.
Mr. R. Burke
In 1972-73 36 lay persons were appointed to vice-principalships in the voluntary secondary schools and 43 were appointed in 1973-74. The proportions of the total which these figures represent are, respectively, 6.88 per cent and 8.07 per cent.
I should add that the total number of lay vice-principals in voluntary secondary schools in 1972-73 and 1973-74 was 505 and 517 respectively.
These figures represent 96.5 per cent of the number of such posts in these schools in 1972-73 and 97 per cent in 1973-74.
I must say I regard the Minister's reply as a very satisfactory and full one. On the other hand, is the Minister aware that in the original recommendations made by Professor Louden Ryan the argument was put forward that in cases where religious were principals of schools lay staff should be vice-principals and vice versa? Is this being implemented? In the light of the fall in teaching vocations in the religious orders, is he satisfied with the degree of mobility in the lay sector of education towards principal and vice-principalship?
Mr. R. Burke
I am satisfied from the figures that I have given that the number of lay vice-principals is quite substantial. As yet the number of lay principals is not quite so substantial and I suppose time will take care of that one.