asked the Minister for Education if, in view of difficulties experienced by vocational schools in recruiting suitable part-time teachers, especially for evening classes, he will substantially increase the scale of hourly fees payable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Part-Time Vocational Teachers.
33.
The rates of remuneration of part-time teachers in vocational schools are reviewed from time to time. I do not consider that the rates are inadequate for the recruitment of suitable persons for part-time service.
The point of my question was to seek some redress for these part-time teachers who are the victims of a variation in the hours of wholetime permanent teachers. Their case merits consideration. The Minister has dismissed them. He has not answered my question.
We keep these rates under review. With the revisions over the past few years and any revisions which may take place in the future, the rates should be adequate to recruit suitable persons to this part-time service.
These people have been deprived of valuable teaching hours. They have no other income. Because of the revision in the hours of the permanent wholetime teachers, they are being left out in the cold. Surely the Minister sees the justice of their case and should act accordingly.
I can see the Deputy is interested in the rates paid to these teachers. I am saying they are reviewed periodically and are regarded as adequate in the circumstances.
34.
asked the Minister for Education if he will give urgent consideration to the case in equity for sanctioning the making by vocational education committees of ex-gratia payments to part-time vocational teachers available and willing to work on special leave days granted to wholetime teachers, such as midterm breaks, days allowed in lieu of enrolment, etc., as the increasing frequency of such leave days is causing grave financial hardship to the section of the teaching profession least able to bear it.
I am not in a position to depart from the principle that part-time teachers employed by vocational education committees may be remunerated only in respect of actual teaching service rendered.