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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Teacher Appointments.

Edward Nealon

Question:

327 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, which has been made on the dispute between the TUI on behalf of its members at St. Angela's College, Sligo, and her Department, arising out of the fact that no full-time permanent appointments at St. Angela's College have been made since 1987, resulting in some members of the union being employed on a temporary basis for almost ten years and further resulting in half of the full-time members of staff at the college currently being on yearly contracts; if her Department will sanction the re-introduction of permanent appointments at St. Angela's College; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1102/97]

Officials from my Department met representatives of the Teachers' Union of Ireland on Wednesday 27 November 1996 and discussed this matter with them.

The future of the two Colleges of Education for Home Economics has been kept under review for some time having regard to the demand for home economics teachers. In the meantime it has not been possible to fill posts on a permanent basis.

The steering committee on the future development of higher education recommended that a review and analysis of specialist teacher requirements should be pursued jointly between my Department and the Higher Education Authority. In that context a review group is examining teacher supply and demand in the second level sector generally, including home economics.

Pending the outcome of this review it has not been possible to sanction the creation of permanent posts in this case. I must also emphasise that Government policy on the limitation of numbers employed in the public service imposes severe constraints on the creation of new posts.

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