School Staffing.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004

Wednesday, 10 November 2004

Questions (218)

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

271 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of chaplains who are employees of and are employed directly or indirectly out of moneys provided by the Exchequer in institutes of technology, teacher training colleges, constituent colleges of the National University of Ireland, other recognised colleges of the National University of Ireland, Trinity College, Dublin, Dublin City University and the University of Limerick; and the estimate of the aggregate current annualised payroll cost in each category. [28722/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The provision of a chaplaincy service is a matter for individual third level institutions and I understand that most institutions provide such a service. This service could be provided by either the appointment of a chaplain as a member of staff of the relevant institution or by the provision by the diocese or other appropriate body of a chaplaincy service by way of a contract for services.

My Department does not have details of the numbers employed or of the cost of these services. I am arranging to have this information collected and forwarded directly to the Deputy.