Sir, - I am writing to protest at an apparent attempt to deny the smaller primary schools of this country the caretakers and secretaries promised for September next. At a meeting of the INTO in Kinsale on March 15th, we were informed that the Government would refuse to proceed with these appointments if the PPF were to be rejected in the present ballot.
Whatever about the arguments for and against the proposed national wage agreement, the provision of caretakers and secretaries to ensure the proper running of our schools and the proper maintenance of expensive buildings is long overdue and should not be used by the INTO or the Government in a campaign to persuade the teachers to accept the agreement.
For many years schools have been fortunate to have the assistance of those who were part of the Community Employment Schemes. It is disgraceful that these schemes are being curtailed, just when it seemed there was a chance of full-time employment for those involved. I call upon Government and union to confirm that these positions will be filled in all schools on September 1st next, no matter what the outcome of the voting on the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Let us have some fairness for the schools and their employees. - Yours, etc.,
Dermot Ryan, NT, Kinsale, Co Cork.