Vol. 304 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education the number of times he has (a) been asked for and (b) given approval to boards of management of national schools, since 1st January 1977, for the filling of positions as principal or assistant teacher without the prior public advertisement specified in the constitution and rules of procedure for national school boards of management.
369.
asked the Minister for Education the number of appointments as principal or assistant teacher in national schools which have been sanctioned by his Department since 1 January 1977; and if he is satisfied that the provisions relating to the public advertisement of such posts have been complied with in all cases.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
A total of 3,470 appointments to posts in national schools were sanctioned by my Department in the 12 months ended 30 November 1977. Of these, 320 related to appointments as principal and 3,150 related to appointments as assistant teacher.
Apart from the specific exceptions provided for in the constitution and rules of procedure for boards of management, the only other instance in which the requirement to advertise does not apply relates to the staffing of central schools created through the amalgamation of two or more existing schools. In the latter instance, the staff of the existing schools are assimilated on to the staff of the central school and one of the existing principals becomes principal of the central school. So far as my Department is aware, the requirement in regard to public advertisement has been observed in all other cases. If the Deputy has information to the contrary in any specific case, I will be glad to have that information and to have the matter investigated by my Department.
