asked the Minister for Education why the office staff in the regional technical colleges are employed in the officer grade as distinct from the servant grade when in fact they do not possess technical or professional qualifications.
453.
Written Answers. - Regional Technical Colleges.
452.
asked the Minister for Education why technicians employed in regional technical colleges are employed in the servant grade; whilst Class III lecturers who hold similar qualifications, and in some cases lesser ones, are employed in the officer grade.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 453 together.
The distinction drawn between the grades of officer and servant in the local authority area generally is governed by section 2 of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926 as amended by section 26 of the Local Government Act (No. 9 of 1955).
In the case of vocational education committees, the relevant statutory provision is section 23 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930. Traditionally in the vocational education area, the term officer is applied to the teaching and administrative employees of committees and that of servant to other categories of staff.
The qualification prescribed for the post of technician in a regional technical college is an appropriate national certificate or approved equivalent. Holders of the appropriate national diploma may be allowed to enter the salary scale at the second point. The qualification prescribed for the post of Class III teacher is a degree of a recognised degree-awarding authority or the certificate/diploma of one of the Department's teacher training courses.