Minister declines to comment on teachers paid while in political office

MINISTER for Education Noel Dempsey yesterday declined to give his opinion on a controversial scheme that, since 1998, has paid almost €500 million to TDs and senators on leave of absence from teaching.

Mr Dempsey, a former teacher, has himself benefited from the scheme during the 16 years he has been on leave of absence from his job as a guidance counsellor.

Records obtained by the Irish Examiner under the Freedom of Information Act showed that in the period between April, 1998, and 2000, he received €20,000 from the Department of Education, in addition to his ministerial salary.