asked the Minister for Education the dates on which an advertisement for a teacher or teachers for Clonalvey school, County Meath, was published in the last 12 months; the number of replies received; and the reason why no trained teacher has yet been appointed to this two-teacher school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath School Teaching Staff.
44.
Mr. O'Malley
I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 17 on 8th February, 1968.
This school was staffed by two qualified teachers up to 4th September, 1967. Advertisements for teachers for the school were published on 29th and 30th September, 1967, and 5th, 6th and 16th January, 1968. I understand that the manager received replies from three applicants, none of whom was considered suitable.
Does the Minister not agree that it is very unfair that a new school, built six years ago, at which there are 29 pupils in attendance should have been left in the care of a junior assistant mistress from last September until now? Would the Minister not agree that even slightly unsuitable trained teachers would be better than a completely untrained teacher and will he try to ensure that the manager does, in fact, have two teachers appointed to this school?
Mr. O'Malley
First of all, the difficulty in getting teachers was due to the fact that the teachers left in the middle of the school year and it is not easy to get teachers at this time. Teachers are usually obtained through advertisements during the summer, before the commencement of the scholastic year. I am satisfied that the manager did make an effort at public advertisement. I am also satisfied that in relation to the three applications he did get and from which he refused to make an appointment, his decision was the correct one.
Is the Minister aware that some of the advertisements submitted to the newspapers were for temporary teachers, and does he not agree that it is not very likely that a suitable teacher will leave a job for the purpose of taking up temporary employment? Is he further aware that the parents of the children there are gravely perturbed because of the fact that such a long period has elapsed with apparently no genuine effort being made to replace the two teachers at the school?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes, I would not blame the parents for being perturbed in this case. All I can say to the Deputy is that my Department, in co-operation with the Reverend Manager, are doing all we can in the circumstances.