I thank you, Sir, for selecting this topic and the Minister for coming into the House to respond. It has been a long day for the Minister and I appreciate the fact that she has made herself available to reply to a simple issue in many ways, but not simple in respect of the impact it has had on a number of substitute teachers in the primary sector.
The problem arose because of a change in the procedure of payments in the payments section of the Department of Education. As a result, a problem arose and was first brought to my attention on 22 October when salary cheques due to substitute teachers did not arrive. A total of 700 substitute teachers did not receive a salary that week and a number of them are still awaiting payment in respect of that week. I understand there have been improvements in the meantime and that the list of teachers now awaiting payment has been reduced to approximately 500. Nonetheless, that is an unacceptable number of people in the public service left without pay.
Substitute teachers have enough difficulties to contend with. In most, if not all, cases substitute teachers are as highly qualified as teachers in the permanent service. When employed they carry out their work as conscientiously and as competently as any permanent teacher and that matter has been well adjudged by the inspectorate and school principals. They should not be treated in that manner. If a delay of that nature was visited on our permanent teaching force, intense union pressure would be applied, there would be intense ministerial activity and the matter would be settled before now. It is grossly unfair and unjust that a greater sense of urgency has not been applied in dealing with this issue.
Many of these substitute teachers are married with families. Indeed, some are the sole breadwinner. Like the rest of us they have to meet mortgage repayments, rent payments and other demands. They can ill-afford to do without or wait for three weeks for a salary cheque. Given the high cost of living all of us need every last penny of what we earn. If our salaries are not paid on time we are placed at a severe disadvantage. It is grossly unfair that substitute teachers have had to wait for so long to have the matter resolved.
I ask the Minister to intervene at this stage to find a solution to the problem and, having found that solution, she should be able to say to these teachers that this delay was unacceptable and will not happen again.