Michael Ferris
Ceist:83 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education if it is necessary for vocational education committees to hold annual interviews in relation to the appointment of EPTs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EPT Appointments.
The appointment of Eligible Part-time Teachers is a matter for the appropriate vocational education committee in accordance with the terms of the EPT Scheme and the agreement drawn up between the Irish Vocational Education Association and the Teachers' Union of Ireland on this matter.
In regard to the recruitment of EPTs the Scheme provides that selection procedures will consist of competition by way of interview by a selection board. There is provision in the scheme for the establishment of a panel from which appointments as EPTs may be made. In this connection also the scheme states that suitability for appointment is determined at interview.
In the normal course of events EPTs are, in practice, re-employed at the beginning of a new session in the school/college where the service is to be provided on a part-time basis and where the teacher's service has been satisfactory. It is a matter for the vocational education committee to decide how suitability is to be determined in such cases and I understand that the interview process is used by some committees for this purpose.