St Killian's German School in Dublin faces insolvency within six weeks, the Employment Appeals Tribunal has been told. The fee-paying school in Clonskeagh, will be insolvent by March, Ms Karen Crofton, the school council chairwoman, has told the tribunal.
According to a tribunal ruling, she was giving evidence in a claim by Mr Rainer Zimmermann, Highfield Road, Rathgar, Dublin, a former principal at the school, who has been awarded £28,000 against the school for unfair dismissal. She told Mr Zimmermann's counsel, Mr Roddy Horan, that the school could not operate if Mr Zimmermann was reinstated. The situation was worse than other years because highly paid junior teachers were seeking a 30 per cent increase.
Mr Tom Mallon, counsel for Der Deutsche Schulverein Ltd, a company incorporated in Ireland which operates St Killian's, said the German state paid for the school's upkeep and four teachers, including the principal. Twelve teachers were paid by the Department of Education. The school would contest only those issues as to financial loss. Mr Horan said Mr Zimmermann was paid by the German Federal Republic and his dismissal had required the German ambassador's approval.
It was not contended that Mr Zimmermann had contributed to his dismissal. The school was not defending its decision to dismiss. The tribunal held that on the grounds of no contest, it found the dismissal was unfair.
It said reinstatement or reengagement were not advisable and awarded Mr Zimmermann £28,000 compensation.
Mr Ciaran O'Mara, of the school's board of management, said yesterday: "St Killian's is fully solvent and will go on being so, as it is supported by the Department of Education, German authorities and the parents of the pupils.
"Can it be seriously suggested that the German federal government would allow its German school in Ireland to close down on grounds of insolvency? The answer is obvious."