Dempsey trying to renege on benchmarking, say teachers

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey is trying to renege on the benchmarking payment to teachers, the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said last night.

The claim was made after Mr Dempsey warned that inspectors will blitz schools today to ensure there is a standardised school year.

The benchmarking agreement requires all schools to open and close at the same time. It’s believed hundreds of schools will be closed today despite warnings from the department.

A Department of Education spokesperson said last night teachers in closed schools won’t be paid benchmarking.

TUI general secretary Jim Dorney said: “Minister Dempsey appears to be using any and every excuse possible to renege on the benchmarking award to teachers, despite his own general secretary and the department’s performance verification group having already signed off on the award.”

The TUI also criticised the delay in building a school of music in Cork.

“Students and teachers have reached a point of exasperation at this ludicrous situation. They have a right to know the purpose of the delay and an outline of when the new development can be expected,” said TUI deputy general secretary Peter MacMenamin.

Meanwhile, details of the Esat BT Young Scientist of the Year were announced yesterday. The exhibition at the RDS will be open to the public from January 8-10.