asked the Minister for Education the position of teachers in capitation schools with regard to the crash course for unqualified teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teacher Crash Course.
8.
The position of teachers in capitation schools, presumably members of religious orders, in relation to the crash course for unqualified teachers is that they are not eligible under the criteria on which this course was set up.
Would the Minister state why such persons were not qualified?
Because there are four criteria involved and the second one—which is, that applicants must have given, in the aggregate, at least five years service in respect of which the salary is paid to her by the Department—has not been satisfied by the group mentioned in the question.
Is there not a little bit of fiddling in this? Surely the salaries are paid, even if they are paid by way of capitation, by the Department?
No. Even if the particular criterion I read out were modified to allow the service to be equated with service in respect of which the salary was paid by the Department, it would not affect the issue in any individual case.
Why?
In other words, they do not satisfy the criteria.
Would the Minister not agree that, if the criteria laid down by the Department are subsequently found to discriminate between lay people and religious people, these criteria should be changed?
The Deputy will appreciate that the course in question was an ex gratia course set up for those whose employment had terminated on the 30th June last. This group is not involved in that category and therefore they do not qualify for the ex gratia course.
Surely the Minister must agree that there is discrimination against the religious teacher in this instance by reason of the rules and the manner in which they were drawn up by him?
I could not so agree, because the ex gratia course was in respect of 238 teachers or a certain group from among that 238 teachers, and these people do not qualify under the criteria set up.
Could I ask——
I have allowed a lot of latitude on this question. We must have finality on it at some stage.
Could I ask the Minister how many out of the 238 unqualified teachers are deemed to qualify for these courses he is making available?
That is a specific question which if the Deputy asks I will answer.
Does the Minister know?
I do know, but I think the Deputy should ask the question specifically.
Is he reluctant to tell us?
No. It is around 40, but if the Deputy asks a specific question he will get a specific answer.
Is it not 38?
I said around 40.