Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Oct 1988

Vol. 383 No. 1

Written Answers. - County Kildare Schools.

327.

Mr. Durkan

asked the Minister for Education if the necessary complement of teachers are available in the various Vocational Education Committee schools throughout County Kildare to provide for the uninterrupted provision of educational facilities as heretofore; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that class times have been shortened and students sent home early because of the lack of teaching staff or other facilities; that some teachers travel up to 20 miles to take class in different schools; if she has satisfied herself that the standard or quality of education available in the Vocational Education Committee schools in County Kildare has not suffered as a result of the redeployment of teachers brought about by financial cutbacks; if she will give an undertaking that there will be no further erosion of Vocational Education Committee school teaching facilities in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

356.

Mr. Durkan

asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the serious effect recent cubacks have had on the provision of German classes in Maynooth post primary school County Kildare, which were started some three years ago; if she feels it desirable that these classes should continue; if she will indicate by what means facilities can be made available to the school in order to allow the classes to continue; if she accepts the teaching of a continental language as being desirable, particularly in the current economic climate; if she can offer some suggestion whereby students who have started the course, may have the facilities to continue possibly with the assistance of a part time teacher working on the basis of six hours per week; if she will sanction such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 356 together.

For the purpose of servicing the courses conducted by Vocational Education Committees my Department authorises an allocation of teaching posts each year. This allocation is made on a Committee-wide basis and not in respect of individual schools.

Following my Department's notification to the Co. Kildare VEC of its authorised allocation of teaching posts for the 1988-89 session that VEC lodged an appeal for an increased allocation. My Department has now issued a revised staffing allocation to the VEC.

The origination of the VEC's educational programme and the assignment of teachers to individual vocational schools is a matter for the VEC.

I am satisfied that the resources allocated by my Department to the VECs this year are sufficient to enable them to make adequate provision for the educational needs of the pupils in their respective areas.