Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 6

Written Answers. - Blanchardstown (Dublin) Community College.

Austin Currie

Question:

46 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education when she intends to remedy the situation at Riversdale community college, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, where (a) there are six temporary whole-time teachers and only 16 permanent teachers, (b) three posts of responsibility are unfilled because there are not enough permanent teachers to fill them; her views on whether, in an area of considerable disadvantage, this situation is an injustice to pupils, teachers and the local community; whether she will reply to representations made on this matter by a delegation from the Teachers' Union of Ireland which met her on 31 October 1989; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The deployment of teachers, as between permanent whole-time teachers and temporary whole-time teachers, to individual schools within a committee's scheme is a matter for the chief executive officer of the VEC.

It is open to VECs, where they consider that the circumstances merit posts being filled on a permanent basis, to submit proposals to that effect to me for consideration.

Proposals in respect of the creation of a number of new permanent whole-time teaching posts under County Dublin VEC in respect of the school session 1989/90 were submitted to my Department in May 1989. My Department approved the full number of such additional permanent whole-time teaching posts proposed by the VEC.

Appointments to posts of responsibility in the VEC scheme are a matter for the VEC; my function, as with all VEC teacher appointments, is one of sanction only provided the appointments are found to be in order in all respects, I am not aware of any proposals having been made to my Department by the County Dublin VEC relating to the posts of responsibility to which the Deputy refers.