asked the Minister for Education if he will instruct his Department's representatives on all interview boards dealing with teacher appointments to inform the boards that female applicants should not be questioned on any plans they may or may not have to have children; and if he will make a general regulation to this effect to cover job interviews for teachers in all schools in receipt of public funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Teacher Appointments .
35.
: The selection of suitable persons for appointment to teaching posts is a function of the selection boards and the authorities of the schools and colleges concerned.
A circular letter was issued in 1977 drawing the attention of management authorities and principal teachers of national schools to the terms of the Employment Equality Act, 1977, which prohibits discrimination in employment on the grounds of sex or marital status. I do not consider that any further action is called for on my part.
: Does the Minister agree that a question along the lines in my Question to a female applicant about her plans to have or not to have more children would be regarded as being in breach of the Employment Equality Act?
: I am not legally trained but it would seem to me that someone who is conversant with the provisions of the Employment Equality Act 1977 would come to that conclusion.
: Is the Minister aware that in some cases female married applicants for teaching posts—it does not apply to male applicants whether married or not—are occasionally asked not just about plans for their family but what method of family planning they use? Would the Minister deprecate such a practice?
: I have no evidence whatever about what the Deputy says.
: I will give the Minister the evidence. Would the Minister deprecate the practice?
: I presume it is a hypothetical question.
: It is not.
: I would certainly.
: A final supplementary, please.
: If more concrete evidence of this kind of practice is brought to the Minister's attention will he consider issuing guidelines for interview boards of schools in receipt of public funds on this central issue for women?
: As I stated I have called attention to the provisions of the Act and that covers it. Anybody aggrieved has the backing of statute for any action they want to take.