Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1989

Vol. 393 No. 1

Written Answers. - Temporary Teacher Posts.

376.

Mr. Durkan

asked the Minister for Education having regard to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 10 November, 1988 and the reply thereto, the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare fails to meet the academic qualification criteria laid down in respect of applicants for teaching posts with various vocational educational committees; if she accepts that this person was previously capable of attaining temporary posts through the Vocational Education Committee; whether temporary posts require the same academic qualification as permanent posts; if not the way in which they differ; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

377.

Mr. Durkan

asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that moneys are due to a temporary vocational education committee appointed teacher (details supplied) in County Kildare; that these moneys are due in respect of work undertaken in years previous to the current year; the total amount of moneys due to this person; when payment will be made in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.

The qualification required for appointment to permanent whole-time teaching posts under a Vocational Education Committee as set out in Memorandum V.7 are

`the degree of a recognised degree-awarding authority or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Minister and the Ceard Teastas Gaeilge or an equivalent qualification in Irish'.

Normally, my Department requires the same qualifications for appointment to temporary whole-time teaching posts.

A proposal for the appointment of a temporary whole-time teaching post under a VEC of a person who lacks an acceptable qualification in Irish but who otherwise possesses an acceptable basic qualification may occasionally, as an exceptional matter, be sanctioned by my Department subject to the strict understanding that no fully qualified candidate is available.

In the case of the particular person to whom the Deputy refers, my Department is not in a position to carry out an assessment of the person's basic qualification as specific information which I have requested on several occasions has not been supplied to my Department.

The question of the payment of remuneration to vocational teachers is a matter solely for the appropriate Vocational Education Committee.