Public funding of chaplains
The Leader undertakes to raise the chaplaincy recruitment and public-funding concerns with the Education and Public Expenditure Ministers, while noting that other issues will be addressed in later debates.
They are paid from the public purse.
Comment on this
I note the point made by the Senator which I will raise with the Minister for Education and Skills. Is the Senator suggesting college chaplains should not be paid from the public purse? They can be of either religion in institutes of technology and other third level institutions.
Comment on this
I am suggesting that, like all other public jobs, they be advertised in accordance with the usual criteria and that there be interview panels.
Comment on this
I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill referred to a European Commission report on national reforms. It will be debated with other finance issues.
Senator James Heffernan also raised the issue of Aer Lingus, which I addressed earlier.