asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools which qualified for additional appointments due to having satisfied the enrolment requirements on 31 December 1987; and the number of permanent appointments which have been sanctioned as a result.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Additional Primary School Appointments.
11.
The number of national schools in which additional appointments have been sanctioned since 1 January 1988 is 49. As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 286 of 15 December 1987, these appointments are being sanctioned on a temporary basis only pending consideration by the quota review committee.
I thank the Minister for that information. In the light of the information now given, what credence can be given to the statement made by her on 1 December in this House when she said "Schools which in the ordinary course of events——".
I hesitate to interrupt Deputy Quill but quotations at Question Time are not in order.
What credence can be given to the statement made on 1 December? What status has Circular 24/87? This circular was issued formally by the Department of Education stating quite clearly that schools which satisfied the normal enrolment requirements on 1 January 1987 could make appointments under the normal schedule. The understanding of anybody in the business is that the normal schedule is that which applied prior to the issue of Circular 20/87. What status does that circular now have?
Of course they can make appointments in a temporary capacity, pending the findings of the Quota Review Committee. That is quite clear.
Why did the Minister not say that in her statement on 1 December? Why was it not clearly stated in Circular 20/87 where the impression was given that schools which satisfy the normal requirements were entitled to make normal appointments in the normal way. By the standards which have applied for the past 40 years, normal appointments are permanent appointments.
The appointments were made in a temporary capacity. To answer the question which Deputy Quill has asked — and from which she has strayed somewhat — the number of national schools in which additional appointments have been sanctioned since 1 January 1988 is 49.
How many schools——
I have given Deputy Quill a lot of latitude, as I think she will agree. A final supplementary. I hesitate to prevent the Deputy putting a further question.
Is the Minister aware that a number of schools have met the requirements under the proposed Circular 20/87 for the appointment of an additional permanent teacher? Why are they precluded from making such an appointment?
I find it very difficult to keep saying the same thing but I must repeat that when the quota review committee have given their findings the schools will be empowered to so do or not.
Most people find it very difficult to give credence to anything that is said.