In the first Labour Court
case involving a Muslim teacher in Ireland, the head of religion at the Muslim national school in Clonskeagh in Dublin has been awarded €30,000 in redundancy compensation plus statutory entitlements.

The teacher, who was not named by the court, took the case against the Islamic
Cultural Centre in Clons­keagh, which runs the country's only dedicated Muslim national school.

While the school is funded by the Department of Education, the Dubai-based Maktoum Foundation provided additional funding, including the salary of the head of religion even though the teacher was employed by the school.

When the Maktoum Foundation withdrew that funding the school offered the teacher redeployment within the school in an alternative position but on the same terms. He was also offered redeploy­ment within the foundation or a redundancy package. But the teacher rejected all offers.

Caroline Jenkinson, deputy chairperson of the Labour Court, said that the Islamic Centre had the right to make the teacher redundant after funding was withdrawn.

But as alternative employment options are no longer available, Jenkinson ruled the teacher be paid the €30,000 in full and final settlement of the claim.