asked the Minister for Education why the deeds of trust in respect of the community schools have not yet been executed; and if he will state the cause of the delay and indicate when such deeds will be available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Community Schools.
34.
Mr. R. Burke
I am at present examining the draft of the proposed deed of trust of the community schools. I hope to complete my examination of the document shortly.
Perhaps the Minister might allay the confusion and concern in the boards of management of these schools as to what their legal standing is in regard to the employment of staff and, indeed, allay the fears of the staff also because they do not seem to have any legal status since they have moved out of the secondary or vocational circuit into the community circuit. They do not know who is responsible for them. I know that it is the Minister and his Department who are responsible at community school level but legally they are nobody's baby at the moment. Is that not so?
Mr. R. Burke
I take the Deputy's point and I share his views on this, but I can assure him that, even up to last week, I have been dealing actively with this question and there will be no undue delay.
It is not the delay that I am concerned with. I am concerned as to whether the Minister can give an assurance to all concerned, particularly the staffs, that in the interim and pending the issue of these deeds of trust they will be the responsibility of the Department—obviously, there is nobody else whose responsibility they will be—in any matter that may arise.
Mr. R. Burke
Yes. I will take the responsibility.
Would the Minister explain why it has been necessary to take such a long time examining this document when in fact it was prepared and ready before I left office?
Mr. R. Burke
Would the Deputy care to tell the House the parties with whom the agreement was reached before he left office?
Might I ask the Minister if he will agree that agreement had been reached in a considerable number of areas in relation to the setting up of community schools in those areas and is the Minister suggesting that the various groups involved would agree to the setting up of the community schools without knowing what was in the deed of trust?
We are entering into the realm of argument now.
Mr. R. Burke
I think I will pass on.
Question No. 35.
The Deputy is simply asking for facts and figures. Now the Minister is running away from the question.
Mr. R. Burke
Why did the Deputy not answer the question I put to him?
Ceist 35.