asked the Minister for Education whether his Department has issued instructions to Technical Schools preventing them from paying on behalf of Technical School students examination fees for the London City Guild examinations; if he is aware that notices have already been served on certain students informing them that they must now pay their own examination fees and if he will state the total amount it is hoped to save the State by this economy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Technical Students' Fees.
My Department has issued no instructions in this matter. The Dublin Co. Boro' Technical Instruction Committee has revised its arrangements regarding the payment of the fees of students who enter for the examinations referred to and I see no reason for interfering with their action in the matter. Any economy resulting will benefit the funds of the local committee.
Has the Minister not been consulted on this matter?
If the Minister were consulted, would he express approval of such action? What I mean is: is he aware that, amongst these students, there is a certain number upon whom this burden falls rather heavily? What I am anxious to know is if the Minister could see his way to recommend, in the case of students who cannot get the fees without difficulty, that the fees would be paid for them as hitherto.
I do not see any reason to interfere.
Could the Minister state what the amount of the economy will be?
I am not able to tell the Deputy at the moment but last year the fees of this type amounted to about £90. While I say that, I do not know what the exact amount was.