Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Salary Deductions.

Brendan Kenneally

Ceist:

1260 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the request of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in September 2001, repeated in November 2001, to stop making deductions from his salary in relation to his union subscription was not complied with; the further reason the confidential letter to his Department was passed on to the ASTI; the person who authorised it to be passed on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2001/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department provides "deduction at source" facilities for teachers, whose names are on my Department's second level teachers payroll system, in respect of payments due to a number of organisations, including teacher unions.

In order to ensure the smooth operation of this system, it is necessary for the relevant section in my Department to pass on information that will affect the reconciliation of payments to the organisation concerned. In this regard, where a teacher instructed the relevant section to cease deductions, a copy of that instruction was forwarded to the organisation concerned.

With regard to the case referred to by the Deputy, a copy of the teacher's instruction to cease deductions was forwarded to the ASTI in the normal way. Unfortunately, the necessary amendment to the payroll system was not put into effect and the deductions continued. This situation has now been rectified and a refund of the deductions made since the date from which the teacher's initial instruction could have been effected will be included with the salary payment due to this teacher on 7 February 2002.

In light of the circumstances of this case, the practice of sending copies of individual teacher's instructions to the organisation concerned has been stopped.

Question No. 1261 answered with Question No. 1255.