Vol. 463 No. 7
68 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has been teaching as a substitute since 13 February 1996 has not been paid for any of her work; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this is causing extreme social hardship for this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7263/96]
An application for payment of salary to the teacher in question, for the period from 13 February 1996 to 23 February 1996, was received in my Department on 8 March 1996. Since the teacher was untrained, the managerial authorities of the school were requested to complete a declaration indicating that efforts were made to secure the services of a trained substitute teacher. The appropriate declaration was received on 20 March 1996. Payment was duly issued on 29 March 1996.
It is understood that the teacher has been employed in another school subsequent to 23 February 1996. Unfortunately, however, an application for payment of salary has not yet been received from this latter school.
I can assure the Deputy that as soon as the relevant application forms are received in my Department, they will be processed speedily.
