asked the Minister for Education what is the present position regarding the proposed regional technological college for Waterford city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Technological College.
71.
At a meeting of the City of Waterford Vocational Education Committee held on 29th June, 1965, it was announced that the City Council had allocated to the committee a site for the proposed regional technical college. The committee have requested my sanction for their acceptance of this site for the purpose. Accordingly, I am arranging for its inspection as soon as possible as to its suitability.
Is the Minister aware that the City of Waterford Vocational Education Committee wrote to his Department last September or October asking for permission to advertise for an architect and that they have not received a reply from the Department since? Will the Minister tell us what steps he will take in regard to the employment of an architect by the committee?
The question of the appointment of architects and other professional personnel in connection with regional colleges in Waterford and elsewhere is under consideration, and, when the arrangements are completed, the committees will be communicated with.
Would it not have been as well for the Minister to send permission to the various vocational education committees letting them advertise for such personnel? Successful applicants would later have their names and qualifications submitted to the Minister's Department.
I have explained to the Deputy that the question of appointment of architect and other professional personnel is still under considertion in relation to a number of centres, including Waterford. Consequently, what he suggests might not be the best way of dealing with it if decisions arising out of this question were different in regard to the different centres. The immediate problem posed by the question is the acquisition of a site and there need be no hold-up in that respect.
The matter of a site was only one of detail. I must ask the Minister to tell us if he has given permission to any other committee in the country to employ an architect and if an architect was employed.
That is a separate question. Question No. 72.
The Minister would like to answer that. I can answer it as well. He did give such permission.
I did not.