asked the Minister for Education (a) if the City of Dublin VEC has nominated any persons for sanction by him for the positions of either head or assistant head of the Department of Electrical Installation Work in the College of Technology, Kevin Street; and, if so, if he intends to sanction the proposed nominees; (b) if he is satisfied with the qualifications specified for the posts at (a) above; (c) if he considers that the specified qualifications are set out in a manner which would ensure equal opportunity for all applicants, particularly existing teachers of electrical installation work under VEC schemes: (d) if he is aware that the conditions for the above posts were changed between two advertisements for applicants and if the changes were necessary; and (e) if he will specify the qualifications in the Irish language necessary for above positions.
Written Answers. - College of Technology Posts.
(a) The City of Dublin VEC has made proposals for appointments to both of the posts in question; these proposals are at present under consideration in my Department.
(b) Yes. My Department had formally indicated to the VEC the qualifications for both posts of which it was prepared to approve.
(c) Yes. Existing teachers of electrical installation work under VEC schemes were eligible to apply for the posts provided they were appropriately qualified.
(d) I understand that one of the posts was advertised in November 1975 without consultation with my Department. The advertisement of December 1977 was published after the Department had formally notified the VEC of the qualifications appropriate for both posts.
(e) The VEC was informed that for both posts the qualifications in Irish would be in accordance with the Department's Memorandum V.7. For purposes of the memorandum, the recognised qualification in Irish is the Department's Ceard Teastas Gaeilge or its equivalent.