asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction the appointment of assistant chief executive officers who are so necessary to deal with the increased volume and complexity of work which now rests on chief executive officers of vocational education committees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Education Post.
54.
Mr. R. Burke
There is no provision in the Vocational Education Acts for a specific post of assistant chief executive officer. The support staff to a chief executive officer in the administrative office of a vocational education committee is determined in relation to the volume and complexity of the work incurred in the operation of the committee's scheme.
Is the Minister aware that there is a demand for the creation of this post? In view of the increased volume of work that CEOs have to do at the moment, does the Minister not think the time is appropriate to create this post?
Mr. R. Burke
I am aware there is a request for such officers. In many cases it is true that the chief executive officer has extra work to do because of his increasing involvement as secretary to a community or comprehensive school in his administrative area. Any CEO who may find the pressure of this kind of work impeding his other duties should consider his position.
Would the Minister not agree that chief executive officers who have been given the task of transport liaison officers for the past few years find it a strenuous burden?
Mr. R. Burke
The Department are aware of the many duties a CEO may have to fulfil. However, a blanket sanctioning of assistant chief executive officer would not be possible under the terms of the scheme.
Would the Minister not consider it desirable that an assistant chief executive officer be appointed with some special responsibility for adult education considering the Murphy Report, which was presented to the Minister some time ago, recommended the appointment of such an officer?
Mr. R. Burke
That might be desirable in the context of the reorganisation of the administration of education. However, I should like to impress on Deputies that there is no provision in the Vocational Education Acts for the specific post of assistant chief executive officer.