Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - Teachers' Working Week.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

303 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce a 22 hour working week for vocational school teachers in order to achieve common conditions for teachers at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

While there is a common salary scale for teachers, there are not common conditions of services for teachers.

Under the terms of an agreement between the Teachers' Union of Ireland, the Irish Vocational Education Association and my Department, teachers in vocational schools can be required to work up to 23 hours per week.

I have had discussions with the TUI regarding the question of teaching hours in Vocational Schools.

The TUI claim for an improvement in conditions by way of a a reduction in the agreed working hours falls for consideration under Clause 3 (the local bargaining clause) of theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress pay agreement and is at present under consideration in my Department.

The Government's position in relation to public service pay was announced by the Minister for Finance in this recent budget speech. This was to the effect that, apart from commitments to pay increases already entered into, provision was not being made for further improvements in pay or conditions of public servants in 1993. In the meantime, the Minister for Finance has initiated discussions with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions about the implications of this situation for the operation of industrial relations across the public service, including the teaching profession. These discussions are ongoing.