asked the Minister for Education whether the Government is satisfied with the standards of staff rooms, back-up facilities and other services available to teachers in secondary, primary and vocational schools; and in what way he is informed of these standards; and how he monitors the situation generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teachers' Facilities.
6.
Provision is made in the planning of new schools for suitable and adequate facilities for teaching staff. The standard of provision of such facilities in older school buildings may be considered in the context of schemes for extensions and improvements.
The whole matter is, in the first instance, one for the local school authority and the Deputy may be assured that deficiencies are usually brought appropriately to attention without any need for monitoring on my part.
Would the Minister agree that conditions affecting staffs of schools could very legitimately be said to affect the educational calibre of the schools? Is the Minister aware, despite the assured nature of his reply, that many staffs are little more than herded together into one room and that this undoubtedly has an effect on the manner in which they do their job in the same way as it would have on anybody else in a similar position?
I would accept the suggestion that poor staff room conditions would affect the quality of the work done in the school. I should be very reluctant to believe that any group of professional people could be herded anywhere particulary nowadays when trade unions are strong and able to bring pressure to bear in the proper places.