asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to ensure that money will be made available from the EEC Social Fund for the retraining of 238 teachers who will be dismissed on 30th June, 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teacher Retraining.
34.
Mr. R. Burke
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 21 and 22 on 29th April last on the question of providing special courses for unqualified teachers in order to enable them to acquire the status of qualified teachers.
The question of giving them training for employment in some other area does not come within my sphere of responsibility, but I understand that financial provision for such purpose is not available from the EEC Social Fund in accordance with the regulations of the Fund.
Is the Minister aware that the social fund may be used for this purpose?
Mr. R. Burke
I understand that financial provision for such a purpose is not available from the EEC Social Fund in accordance with the regulations of that fund.
Is the Minister aware that workers, other than industrial workers, may avail of grants from the social fund for retraining?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy asked me a question in relation to a specific number of teachers and I have replied to him that it is not available in accordance with the regulation of the fund.
On what authority does the Minister make that statement?
Mr. R. Burke
On my own authority as Minister for Education which is the basis on which I reply to all questions in the House. I fail to see how I could answer in any other capacity other than Minister for Education.
That was not the question the Minister was asked.
Is the Minister aware that I have a letter from the Department of Labour to the effect that moneys from this fund may be used for retraining people other than industrial workers?
The Minister has no responsibility in that regard.
If the Minister found that money was available from the social fund for retraining these teachers, for example as remedial teachers, would he take advantage of it or is it his intention to throw them out and leave them without anything?
Mr. R. Burke
That is a hypothetical question.
We have a hypothetical Minister.
Would the Minister not agree that when people are sacked in a fashion like this or relieved of their jobs it is the duty of the State to try to retrain them? Facilities for this are available in other spheres. Does the Minister not feel that he can use funds at his disposal to provide training facilities for them in a job that they are competent to deal with, teaching? Does the Minister not feel that he should establish a course and have them trained at that?
Mr. R. Burke
That is a widening of the scope of the question.
The question deals with the retraining of teachers. I have asked the Minister if he would consider retraining these teachers to make them better teachers.
Mr. R. Burke
I have answered the question in so far as I could.