Vol. 495 No. 7
683 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has in place for the appointment of a second teacher for Sooey national school, County Sligo, in view of the fact that there are 24 children now enrolled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/98]
Sixty-seven schools, which would otherwise be one teacher units, will operate in the current school year as two teacher units as a direct consequence of my supportive initiative for one teacher schools.
In the course of the current school year, I will continue to examine a range of options with a view to identifying the most appropriate way to fulfil the Government's commitments to the remaining one teacher schools as outlined in An Action Programme for the Millennium. The position of Sooey national school will be addressed in that context.
684 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the conversion of relevant temporary whole time posts to permanent posts in St. Angela's College, Lough Gill, County Sligo; if he will have the permanent posts immediately sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21291/98]
It was indicated to the joint union body of St. Angela's College on 1 April 1998 that it was proposed to convert certain posts in the college to permanent positions as part of a process which would also see the conclusion of a PCW agreement for college staff. In the period since 1 April, extensive contacts took place between my Department and college management with a view to expediting all relevant arrangements. However, the PCW agreements have not been processed as quickly as anticipated.
Nevertheless, my Department has chaired an intensive series of management-union meetings recently, involving all the relevant unions. Those meetings were aimed at clarifying the individual staff members who are to be appointed in a permanent capacity. Agreement has been reached on this and permanent appointments will take effect from 1 November 1998. Formal letters of sanction are being prepared and will issue very soon.
