asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of the predicament of many vocational authorities who are unable to employ extra staff in the coming educational term owing to shortage of money; and whether he proposes to take any action in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Schools Authorities.
20.
I am satisfied that the number of extra teaching staff recently sanctioned by my Department for vocational education committees is generally adequate to enable the committees to meet all normal requirements. Appeals for further extra teaching staff have been received in my Department very recently from a small number of committees; these appeals are at present being examined and will, where the circumstances justify it, be allowed.
Is the Minister aware that Meath Vocational Education Committee have found that they will be unable to carry on the existing services unless they get sanction for increased staff before the next session starts?
I am not aware of any particular instance. I am aware that some committees have made appeals to my Department and these are being examined.
Will the Minister take the necessary steps to ensure that in cases where sanction is being given it will be given in time to have the extra staff employed before the next term starts?
Provided we find that the appeals are justified.
But if the Minister is going to do it he will do it in time? There is no point in putting down a question if the Minister is going to wait until September or October to make a decision?
As I told the Deputy, the appeals are at present being examined and if the circumstances justify them they will be allowed.
But there is no possibility of the staff who are considering this going on holidays and the matter coming up again some time in October?
The matter is being examined at the moment.
It will be dealt with immediately then?
Would the Minister be able to explain to the House why there is apparently a cutback in the amount of money allocated by his Department for schools? Could he say why he issued a circular to all secondary schools preventing them from employing extra staff this year? Why is there the same situation in regard to vocational education?
This is a separate question in relation to secondary schools and I have already replied to it on a previous occasion but I should like to inform the Deputy that 242 additional teachers, wholetime equivalents, were allocated to the 38 vocational education committees on 9th July, 1971.
May I ask the Minister if he would have available the number of extra teachers sanctioned for secondary schools? Any idea?
I am just hazarding a guess: about 400, but I do not want to be tied to that.
Would the Minister be able to tell us approximately the number of extra teachers who will be going to vocational schools this year and also how many applications were made to have extra teachers sanctioned?
I have not got that information but 242 additional teachers is a pretty good number.