Vol. 489 No. 6
720 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the problems arising at a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 where students are being partly taught because of the absence through illness of the principal; the steps, if any, he will take to urgently remedy this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8868/98]
I am aware of the situation at the school to which the Deputy refers. Unfortunately, a resolution to the difficulty which has emerged in this case is outside the control of my Department. A teacher who is on paid leave of absence because of illness is replaced by a substitute teacher whose salary is paid directly by my Department. However, the responsibility to recruit and appoint a substitute teacher rests with the school's board of management.
