asked the Minister for Education if he has received the resignation of a Church of Ireland school manager (name supplied) in County Laois due to the alleged non-co-operation of his Department regarding parochial school problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Manager Resignation.
25.
I have received a letter from the person concerned in which he tendered his resignation as national school manager.
The letter did not give any indication of the reasons which prompted the resignation.
I am rather surprised the Minister did not take Questions Nos. 25 and 33 together because it appears that the reason for Question No. 33 was a contributory factor to the resignation of the reverend manager. Is the Minister not aware that the reason for the resignation was due, as Deputy Flanagan put it, to the alleged non-co-operation of his Department regarding parochial school problems? Is he aware that the manager feels his school, because of its denomination, is not being treated fairly? It is unfortunate that this type of feeling has been allowed develop.
Mr. R. Burke
It is not a fortunate feeling to have because there is no foundation whatever for it. The man did not give me any indication of his reasons for resigning. If he did so then perhaps we could discuss the matter more fully. I have no information available to me which would indicate the exact nature of his reasons.
Is the Minister not aware that the manager was extremely annoyed with the manner in which the Department dealt with the requirements regarding a new Church of Ireland school in Mountmellick over a long period and with the apparent neglect between his Department and the Office of Public Works in relation to the provision of this school? Surely the Minister is not saying in relation to a question like this put down by Deputy Flanagan that he would not have acquainted him of this?
Mr. R. Burke
There is no suggestion that that is the reason for the man's resignation. In fact the reverend manager, in writing to me in September, 1974, used the words: "However things are now moving quickly."
That meant he was getting out.
Mr. R. Burke
It may very well have, but I would take it he was now getting on with the job of building the school.
In view of the fact the Minister had a letter from the reverend manager last September which conveyed that work was being done for him, is it not rather extraordinary that he found it necessary to write about a fortnight ago? If the Minister had checked he would have found that this school, which was promised to be opened in September last year, is still not open.
Mr. R. Burke
I have no reason to understand that the reverend manager's displeasure is necessarily with the Department of Education in respect of that matter. Deputy Lalor will realise that this matter has been going on since the 1960s and there is voluminous correspondence between my predecessor and the Deputy in regard to the matter.
About two letters. Would Question No. 25 not alarm the Minister? I did not put it down.
Mr. R. Burke
I would be alarmed if the reverend manager gave me reasons which would back up the allegation made by the Deputy, which I think is without foundation. There is no suggestion of any discrimination on a denominational basis under any Government of this country.