asked the Minister for Education whether it is his intention to remove the marriage ban on women national school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marriage Ban on Women Teachers.
The question of future requirements as regards trained national teachers and all the matters associated therewith are being examined in my Department. Until this examination has been completed and the necessary decisions taken it will not be possible for me to make any statement as to how future requirements will be met.
May I take it that the Minister has in mind the removal of the ban on married teachers? There is a possibility that the ban will be removed?
It is one of the possible solutions to the present shortage of trained women teachers and has to be examined in conjunction with other possible solutions. Any of them, or a combination of them, will entail an extra cost to the Exchequer and our desire to solve the problem will have to be tempered by an appreciation of the cost which a solution will involve for the Exchequer.
The Minister will consult the various interested parties, including the I.N.T.O?
I have already had two conferences with the teachers and another conference has been arranged for the very near future.