Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Richard Bruton

Question:

51 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the period for which a principal is appointed to hold office; at whose discretion this period is set; and his views on a policy of renewable or non-renewable fixed term contracts. [7255/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Under current arrangements, principals generally remain in their posts until retirement age. In the case of a Catholic voluntary secondary school the trustees may appoint a suitably qualified religious or clerical principal if they so wish. In such a case, the trustees determine the duration of the appointment.

The appointment of a principal to a primary school is by open competition except in the case of convent and monastery schools. In the event that the authorities of the religious order concerned wish to appoint a member of the order to the post of principal, the board of management is required to do so subject to the prior approval of the patron and the Minister. The person appointed must be qualified for the post. In such cases the duration of the appointment is determined by the religious order.

Any changes to the conditions of service of principals, including the question of renewable or non-renewable fixed term contracts, would have to be discussed with the relevant interests within agreed industrial relations procedures.