With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 28 together.
I presume that the schools which the Deputies have in mind are Maria Assumpta School, Gardiner Street, Holy Faith Convent School, Dominick Street and Dominican Convent School, Eccles Street.
The number of teachers in receipt of incremental salary in Maria Assumpta School and in the Holy Faith Convent School, Dominick Street in 1976-77 was 30.
A final decision has not been taken to close Dominican Convent, Eccles Street, though the possibility of such closure has been mentioned. The number of teachers in receipt of incremental salary in that school in 1976-77 was 43.
The closure of the schools would take place on a phased basis and in that respect the main problem in relation to pupil accommodation would be in respect of the availability of places in other schools, particularly in the pupils' own locality for pupils who might otherwise have been admitted to one of the schools which would no longer be accepting pupils after a particular date. This matter will receive appropriate consideration for the purpose of arriving at a satisfactory solution to any problems which may arise.
I appreciate the concern of the teachers on the staffs of the schools in question in relation to their future employment prospects. The factual situation is that the Minister for Education in the discharge of his functions is not in a position to assume responsibility for the placing in alternative employment of teachers on the staffs of secondary schools which may close. The conditions relating to payment of allowances in respect of posts of responsibility and of special functions allowances are governed by the provisions of the Teachers' Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme. The question whether a teacher who transferred from one school to another would be paid an allowance in the school to which he transferred would depend on the nature and condition of his employment in that school.