Sir, - In a reply to my recent letter in support of teachers' pay claims, Richard Dowling (October 12th) accuses me of speaking self-serving claptrap. My central point was that the growing gap in the rewards available to PAYE professionals and to those on non-pay incomes would destroy the teaching profession and would inflict serious damage on the education system. The success of the campaign for substantial salary increases for teachers is therefore in the national interest.
The result of the survey of 408 second-level schools reported in The Irish Times of October 16th bear out my contention. Almost 70 per cent of second-level schools surveyed have found difficulty getting qualified teachers and many have been forced to drop subjects as a result.
Already, our universities and institutes of technology are having severe difficulties in recruiting and keeping academic staff.
The principle at the heart of the PPF could not fail to produce a widening gap in rewards. Income restrictions on employees only in return for tax reductions for all seriously discriminate against employees, making the self-employed professions much more attractive.
Unlike Richard Dowling, I did not exclude any part of society from credit for the formation of our young people. Parents in particular play a major role. Indeed, teachers expend much energy, often voluntarily, in helping to develop well-rounded human beings. My point was that teachers at all levels play a vital role and that damage to the teaching profession must be avoided in the national interest. - Yours, etc.,
Paddy Healy, Former National Honorary Secretary, TUI, Member of Governing Body, DIT, School of Physics, DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8.