Vol. 390 No. 2
asked the Minister for Education if she will give a commitment that the scheme for the pro rata part time teachers, which has been agreed between her Department and the TUI, will be implemented in each vocational education committee in order that these teachers will have contracts before the commencement of their 1989 summer holidays.
73.
asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that the scheme for pro rata part time teachers in the vocational education committees will be implemented as soon as possible in order that those affected will have contracts before the end of June 1989.
84.
asked the Minister for Education if she shares the view of the Minister for Labour on exploitation of part time teachers; if so, if she will provide supplementary budgets to enable vocational education committees to implement in full the recent part time teacher agreement between her Department and the Teachers Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 73 and 84 together.
For the purposes of priority I will, of course, be dealing with Deputy Higgins. I am pleased to confirm that agreement has been reached on the introduction of a scheme to provide improved pay, sick leave, annual leave, holiday entitlements and other conditions of employment for eligible part time teachers in the VEC sector. I have asked my Department to convey approval for the introduction of the scheme as soon as possible to the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, who are the employers immediately concerned in the claim.
My intention is to apply the terms of the agreement to all of the VECs. My Department will contact the relevant interested parties to discuss the overall implementation of this agreement. My Department Estimates for this year include provision for the payment of this agreement.
I am grateful for the Minister's reply. May I ask her when we may anticipate the circular implementing her decisions going to the VECs? May I further ask her if, in fact, it includes all VECs in terms of all conditions?
I am taking the decision as given in the case of the City of Dublin VEC as being the model which should be implemented for each of the relevant VECs. The actual date on which I will be sending out the circular I cannot say precisely. It is my intention that the model as adopted for the agreement of the claim with regard to the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee should be the model adopted for all VECs.
May I ask if the necessary circular will issue from the Department in time for the contracts for the workers involved to be assured and put in place before the summer vacation?
My commitment is to that principle. It would be difficult for me to give the actual date as to when the circular would go out. I cannot give a commitment on that date but I share the sentiments expressed by the Deputy in that regard.
