asked the Minister for Education whether he will state the classes or grades of officers (including chief executive officers) under the vocational education scheme whose salaries are determined by the cost-of-living indeg figure at 290, and the number in each grade and whether any organisation representing any grade has made an agreement with the Department or the Minister which exempts the members of such grade from the operation of the cost-of-living scale; and, if so, the name of such organisation, the date or dates of such agreement, and the number of officers involved.

The salaries of all grades of officers employed on a whole-time basis under vocational education committees are related at present to a cost-of-living index figure of 290.

The numbers of serving whole-time officers are as follows:—

No organisation representing any of these grades has made any agreement such as the Deputy mentions.

In view of the dissatisfaction existing at the moment among these teachers, will not the Minister try to bring about a settlement as soon as possible with a view to ending this controversy? I think they are not as well paid as other officials of the State.

I think that has nothing to do with the question.