Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Written Answers. - County Tipperary Teacher Appointments.

Michael Lowry

Question:

167 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the north Tipperary branch of the Teachers Union of Ireland is opposed to the embargo on flexibility imposed by her Department in 1993 preventing the appointment of permanent teachers in the vocational sector; her views on the proposed further embargo this year, for instance, the possible amalgamation of second level schools in Roscrea, County Tipperary; and whether the imposition of possible over-staffing problems of secondary schools on this county is acceptable.

Michael Lowry

Question:

168 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education her response to the Teachers Union of Ireland demand for the removal of the restriction caused by the proposed management structure in Roscrea, County Tipperary, in order to facilitate North Tipperary Vocational Education Committee to employ four to five permanent teachers as is their entitlement; the reason North Tipperary Vocational Education Committee is being victimised in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

The teaching staff approved in any one year for vocational education committees is expressed in wholetime teacher equivalent units. While the greater part of the staffing allocation is used to make permanent wholetime appointments, some of the allocation may be used only to make temporary or part-time appointments. This is necessary to give school managements the flexibility they need to plan their programmes and to cater for the broad range of subjects offered. It is also necessary to take account of the effect on the annual staffing allocation of short term fluctuation in student numbers. Consequently, the vocational education committees may not fill a teaching post in a permanent capacity without the prior approval of my Department. My Department, when considering applications for sanction to make permanent appointments, takes account of the curricular needs of the committee's scheme, the flexibility required to meet these needs, the approved teacher allocation, the number of permanent teachers already on the staff, the enrolment trends and planned rationalisation.

An application was received from County Tipperary (North Riding) Vocational Education Committee for permission to make five permanent wholetime teaching appointments this year. This application has been considered in accordance with the general criteria I have mentioned and it has been decided that not more than three permanent wholetime appointments should be made. The chief executive officer of the County Tipperary (NR) Vocational Education Committee has been advised accordingly.

On the general question of the balance between permanent and non-permanent appointments, discussions will be held shortly, in accordance with the provisions of theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work, with management and teacher interests with a view to agreeing a ceiling on the percentage of part-time teaching posts in post-primary schools and third-level colleges.