Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

These Government amendments are drafting amendments. I introduced a number of amendments on Committee Stage to clarify that the powers on employment issues would apply to existing and newly appointed teachers. A discussion with Senators raised the issue of whether the grammar used was correct. In particular, the phrase that these matters were to apply to people "who are, or are to be, remunerated", was questioned and it was suggested that it ought to be more correctly read as "who are, or who are to be, remunerated". My officials raised this matter with the drafting office and amendments Nos. 4, 5 and 13 are designed to make this change. I thank Senators for their assistance.

The purpose of amendment No. 9 is to clarify that the power of the Minister under the new section 24(8) of the Education Act, to prescribe the conditions for the employment of an unregistered person in place of a registered teacher, applies to recognised schools. For the sake of consistency with other provisions of the Education Act, it is important that this is made clear. Amendment No. 14 makes a minor change to the new section 24(13) of the Education Act by ensuring the language is consistent so that it refers to a principal teacher and another member of staff in the singular.