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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Non-Payment of Salaries.

John Perry

Ceist:

715 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo and their spouse have not received wages and to the letter this person sent to his Department outlining their situation; the steps which have been taken to ensure that their salaries will be immediately released; the amount of moneys due to them; the reason payment has not been released; if he will instruct his Department to liaise with the tax office in order that they pay a fair proportion of their salaries in tax, with moneys for 2001 set against tax allowances for 2001; if this issue will be resolved before Easter 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8530/02]

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers.

The teachers in question have applied to my Department to have previous teaching experience considered for incremental credit purposes. Both applications are being considered at present and I have asked my Department to progress these matters as speedily as possible. My officials will be in contact with the parties concerned shortly. Issues relating to tax deductions are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

The delay in dealing with the issue in question has arisen because of the unprecedented growth in special education services which has taken place under the present Government. This is illustrated by the fact that the number of resource teachers deployed to assist children with disabilities in the primary system has grown from 104 in 1999, to more than 1,000 at present and the number of special needs assistants deployed to address the care needs of these children has grown from less than 300 to more than 2,800 whole-time equivalent posts over the same period.

The proposals which have been approved by Government for the development of a national special education service, including the establishment of a national council for special education, will have a major impact on improving the efficiency of service provision in this area in the future.
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