Vol. 373 No. 12
asked the Minister for Education the way in which the architectural courses in Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin I can operate efficiently given that the part time and temporary whole time staff have been advised that they will not be reemployed: and if she will make a statement on the matter.
181.
asked the Minister for Education if the teachers in the regional technical colleges are financing their own salary increases in view of the fact that the allocation of moneys for pay in 1987 have been cut by 1 per cent and 3 per cent in 1988; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
The implications for the regional technical colleges and colleges of technology of the Government's Budget Statement in relation to staffing in the public service have been the subject of discussions between my Department, the Department of Finance and other interested parties. Following these discussions my Department issued Circular Letter No. 45/87 to the vocational education committees concerned which requires that between now and the end of 1988 the gross pay bill in the sector is to be reduced by 4 per cent in volume terms. This is to result in a saving of 1 per cent of the gross pay bill in the calendar year 1987 and a further 3 per cent in 1988. The pay outturn for 1987 will be the basis for 1988 Estimates. Allowance will be made for unavoidable increases in costs and the figure so calculated will be reduced by 3 per cent.
Responsibility for the introduction of specific measures in order to comply with the terms of the circular letter rests with the college authorities and the vocational education committees concerned. I have no reason to believe, however, that essential activities in the colleges in question will be curtailed by the application of the Government's decision.
In the particular case of the architectural courses in the College of Technology, Bolton Street, I am not aware that any formal advice of the kind indicated by the Deputy has been issued by the City of Dublin VEC.
