asked the Minister for Education the steps he is taking to resolve the dispute between the TUI and his Department so as to enable boards of management of vocational schools to resume their duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Schools Management Boards.
17.
I understand that the TUI are not prepared to co-operate in boards of management unless clerical assistance is made available to principal teachers in larger schools. This matter is under discussion at the moment. I am, accordingly, not in a position to make any further statement in the matter.
Will the Minister agree that it is deplorable that boards of management that were set up to help pupils, teachers and parents cannot now meet for even one hour per month to carry out the duties that are assigned to them due to what I think most people would regard as a twopence halfpenny dispute?
I would not like to say anything here that would heighten the sense of frustration being experienced by both boards of management and the teachers union involved, who feel they have legitimate grievances in this matter. They have been in my Department last week and further meetings are arranged for them in the coming week to try and resolve this problem without doing damage to the schools or the pupils involved.
Would the Minister agree it is an urgent matter that should be resolved immediately?
I would certainly be very keen to see it resolved as soon as possible.
Would the Minister accept that the strike affects even those schools where clerical assistance is already in operation? I appreciate the delicacy of the matter but would he not appeal to the TUI that pro tem at least they might agree to reservicing the schools where what they are looking for is already being provided? I am talking especially about the situation in Dublin?
I will see that the point of view expressed by the Deputy is put to the union involved.