Mr. Ted Owens:

There has never have been a problem in the second level sector in terms of contracting. All our teachers are contracted as per Department of Education and Skills regulation. This has never been an issue at post-primary level. It is true that an issue arose in Youthreach Macroom. When I inquired of the former executive of the County Cork VEC what had happened in that particular case where hours in excess of timetabled hours were worked, the co-ordinator responded that part-time teachers in Macroom were paid for attendance at staff meetings, substitution and attendance at in-service courses. This should not have happened. Once this was identified, Cork Education and Training Board and County Cork Vocational Education Committee ensured that the payment to teachers is reconciled to the timetables and made only for pre-approved hours. The co-ordinator submits these hours before the start of the year and our finance department will pay only for the pre-approved contracted hours.