asked the Minister for Education if his Department has received a request from the County Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee to reconsider his Department's refusal to sanction the appointment of a remedial teacher (details supplied) in the city technical school on the grounds that the teacher has an English qualification in remedial education; if he is aware that their refusal will result in a severe cutback in the service offered to students who are educationally deprived and in the abandonment of students who need remedial education; if he is further aware that the teacher concerned was the only applicant when the post in question was advertised a year and a half ago and of the concern expressed by the parent members of the board of the school at his Department's refusal to sanction the appointment; and if, in view of this parental concern, he will sanction the appointment in the interests of the students.
Written Answers. - County Kilkenny Vocational Schools.
Such request was received and a reply was issued on 3 March 1982 in which the original official decision was confirmed that the applicant was not qualified for appointment in a permanent capacity. The committee have also been informed that the numbers of teachers employed by them in 1980-81 and 1981-82 were in excess of the numbers authorised for these sessions and that the matter of overstaffing in the scheme is under examination. Pending the outcome of such examination approval may not be granted in respect of proposals for further appointments.
266.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the desire of the parents in Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny, to develop an adequate post primary education facility in their own hometown; if he is aware of the efforts of these parents to have his department review its refusal to sanction a senior cycle course in the Graiguenamanagh Vocational School; if he is further aware that 95 per cent of the outgoing sixth class from the primary schools in Graiguenamanagh have enrolled as first year students in the vocational school for such a cycle; and if, in view of the evident need for a senior cycle course in Graiguenamanagh, his Department will now authorise it without delay.
The question of providing a senior cycle course at Graiguenamanagh Vocational School, County Kilkenny, is currently under examination in my Department. When completed, the County Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee will be informed of the decision without delay.