asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is a fact that the schoolhouse and teachers' residence at Parteen, Limerick, were demolished in 1927, in the course of the Shannon Construction Works; that the principal teacher of the boys' school, who had up to that time a free residence as part of his emoluments, has had to take furnished rooms in Limerick City, three miles away, at the rate of £52 per annum; whether the Minister will state what compensation has been offered to this teacher for the great inconvenience and heavy expense he has been put to as a result of the operation of the Shannon Scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parteen Teachers' Residence.
The boys' and girls' schoolhouse and the teachers' residences at Parteen, comprising one block of buildings, were acquired on 22nd June, 1927, under the Shannon Electricity Act, 1925, and temporary schoolhouse premises were erected in place of them. I was advised that the free residence enjoyed by the male and female teachers was in no sense part of their emoluments and that the teachers had no interest in it which could strictly be treated as a matter for compensation under the Act. Nevertheless, for the disturbance caused in securing for themselves accommodation elsewhere, an offer was made to each of them of the sum of one hundred pounds, which was accepted by one of the two teachers concerned. I am not now prepared to re-open the matter.
Mr. O'Connell
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say who advised him that a free residence was not part of a teacher's emoluments? Is he not aware that this teacher had, in fact, a free residence there since 1914 until his house was destroyed under the Shannon Scheme operations?
Teachers have a right to a residence, but I am advised it is only an accidental perquisite to a teacher to have a house. All the teachers are not entitled to it and legally they have no such right.
Mr. O'Connell
We do not want to discuss the question of what all teachers are entitled to legally. However, the fact is that this teacher had a free residence as part of his emoluments since 1914 until the Shannon Scheme destroyed his house. Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that £100 was sufficient compensation to the teacher in the circumstances?
I am aware that he had a free residence and I consider that £100 is sufficient compensation.
Mr. O'Connell
I should like to give notice that in view of the Parliamentary Secretary's answer I shall raise this point on the first available opportunity on the adjournment.