asked the Minister for Education if the provisions of circular letter No. 26/69, in relation to the management structure of regional technical colleges, governing the period of office of college councils are still in force; and whether appropriately constituted college councils now exist in all such colleges.
Written Answers. - Regional Technical Colleges.
427.
The Department's circular letter to which the Deputy refers was issued in 1969 when only some of the regional technical colleges were actually in operation and others were in prospect.
The management structure introduced for the colleges by the circular letter was intended to be experimental pending experience of its operation. Over the intervening years representations have been made for changes in the structure and comprehensive proposals in this regard are at present under consideration.
In these circumstances it was considered appropriate that the existing boards of management and councils of the colleges should continue in office.
428.
asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the approved teaching staff allocation to the Regional Technical College, Letterkenny, County Donegal, for the current academic year.
A total of 47 whole-time teaching posts as follows was allocated to the Regional Technical College, Letterkenny, for the session 1977-78: Senior Lecturer, Scale II, 1; Lecturer, Scale II, 3; Lecturer, Scale I, 17; Assistant Lecturers, 17; Class III teachers, 9.
In addition, the employment of part-time teachers in respect of a maximum of 1,400 actual teaching hours was authorised.
429.
asked the Minister for Education if, in determining the teaching staff allocation for regional technical colleges, his Department take into consideration (a) evening courses leading to qualifications; and (b) adult evening classes not leading to formal qualifications.
All courses provided, or proposed to be provided, in a regional technical college are considered when the appropriate teaching staff allocation for the college is determined each year.
430.
asked the Minister for Education which regional technical colleges have supplied him with detailed teaching staff requirements and financial schemes for the next academic year.
Vocational Education Committees concerned with the administration of the regional technical colleges have recently been requested to furnish my Department with returns to enable the colleges' teaching staff allocations to be determined for the session 1978-79. The latest date for receipt of this information is 12 May 1978.
Financial Schemes are prepared on a calendar, not an academic, year basis. Schemes for 1979 are not due for submission until July/August, 1978.
431.
asked the Minister for Education when he will inform regional technical colleges of their staff and financial allocations for the coming academic year.
Teaching staff allocations for the regional technical colleges in respect of the session 1978-79 will be determined by my Department as soon as the necessary returns for the purpose from the vocational education committees concerned have been received and examined.