LRC to hear supervision row

A FOUR-YEAR dispute between two unions over who should be paid for running a supervision scheme in vocational schools is to be ruled on by the Labour Relations Commission.

The row involving the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, representing principals, and IMPACT, on behalf of school secretaries and other Vocational Education Committee administration staff, began when the scheme was set up to help end a teachers’ strike in 2003.

The scheme allows payment of almost €1,700 a year to teachers who volunteer for up to 37 hours a year of supervision and substitution duties. The Department of Education sets aside 5% of the cost in each school for the staff who manage it.

The payment is about €2,000 in a 400-student second-level school but could be double in some larger schools, depending on staff numbers.

The matter has been in dispute at 240 vocational schools and community colleges run by the VECs. At least €2 million is understood to be at issue.

An LRC hearing is expected soon, with both sides understood to be hopeful of a recommendation on the issue before Christmas.