asked the Minister for Education if he will allow teachers of religious knowledge in VEC's to be considered ex quota for teacher allocation purposes.
Written Answers. - Religion Teachers in Vocational Schools.
83.
The arrangements for the provision of religious instruction in vocational schools were agreed following discussions between representatives of religious authorities, the Irish Vocational Education Association, the Chief Executive Officers' Association, the Teachers' Union of Ireland and my Department. A statement of these arrangements was issued to the vocational education committees in February 1979.
The arrangements provide that teachers of religion, religious and lay, on whatever basis appointed, would continue to be regarded as coming within the annual allocation of teachers for each vocational education committee's scheme.
I do not propose to introduce any amendment to this provision.