Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Dec 1988

Vol. 385 No. 6

Written Answers. - Longwood (Meath) VEC School.

279.

Mr. Farrelly

asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of teachers who will lose their jobs in Longwood vocational school, County Meath because of the new proposals by her Department (b) the amount of money estimated to be saved (c) the amount of money which will be paid to part-time teachers weekly (d) the amount of travelling expenses payable per mile to part-time teachers (e) the effect these changes will have on the students in the middle of a school year because of these proposals and (f) if she will postpone these proposals until the 1989-90 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

280.

Mr. J. Bruton

asked the Minister for Education if she will meet a delegation of the parents of students attending Longwood vocational school, County Meath to discuss the disruption of the school curriculum for this academic year as a result of the withdrawal of the services of part-time teachers from the school owing to budgetary constraints.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.

The allocation of teaching staff in respect of courses in vocational schools is made on a committee-wide basis and not in respect of individual schools. The organisation of the committee's educational programme and the deployment of its teaching resources are matters to be determined by the committee itself within the authorised allocation.

The initial allocation of teaching staff to County Meath VEC was issued by my Department on 14 July last. Following consideration of a number of appeals the committee's allocation has since been increased by 6.4 whole-time teacher equivalents which is considered to be adequate to cater for the committee's needs.

In the circumstances, I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by my seeing a deputation at this time.