asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that it is now virtually impossible for post-primary schools to secure the services of teachers of woodwork and metalwork; and, if so, the arrangements he is making to ensure that these subjects are made available in schools that are due to open in September next.
Written Answers. - Woodwork and Metalwork Teachers.
252.
In the case of schools conducted by vocational education committees the temporary difficulty may be eased by the re-deployment of existing woodwork and metalwork teachers who are not fully time-tabled for the teaching of such subjects only. The sharing of teachers between schools of a committee should also be arranged to the greatest extent possible.
In general schools will need to resolve their individual problems by relating the curriculum of the school to the availability of teaching resources, and making arrangements for the sharing of teachers between adjacent schools, in so far as such is feasible. My Department will also be prepared to approve of the employment, under specified conditions, of teachers of woodwork and metalwork beyond the normal age limit for retirement or the re-employment on a similar basis of such teachers who had already retired.