Vol. 224 No. 3
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a full and detailed statement clarifying his speech of 10th September regarding the provision of free secondary education, stating in particular what children will qualify for this free education, the method whereby the scheme is to be financed, and the date at which it is expected to be introduced.
27.
asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of the new educational plan; when he expects money will be available to put it into operation.
28.
asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of new secondary schools, new vocational schools, and extension to secondary schools and vocational schools which will be ready to receive new pupils in September, 1967; (b) the space which will be available and the number of pupils likely to be received therein; (c) the number of additional teachers available in September, 1967; (d) if all fees to vocational schools will be abolished as from September, 1967; (e) if schools now receiving fees from parents will at the parents' option receive those fees from the State; (f) if the provision of text-books will be subject to a means test; (g) if the additional buildings and staff will be available in UCD, UCC and UCG by September, 1967; and (h) if the total cost of all these matters is yet estimated.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 27, and 28 together.
Detailed proposals are under consideration. I hope that the Government will have completed their consideration of them to permit of my making a full statement on the Estimate for my Department.
Where is the promising young Minister today?
The Deputy will recall that he tried to get his questions taken yesterday.
That is not the point.
He is not here to answer them.
Did the Minister say that the Government have not made a decision on this?
On the detailed proposals.
Is it a fact that this very comprehensive speech was made when there was no information available with regard to the itemised matters in my Question, No. 28, from (a) to (h)?
No, the Deputy would not be entitled to assume that that statement is correct.
Why should the Deputy not be entitled to assume it? If a comprehensive speech, such as that speech, was made without these details being known at that time, then it was a fraudulent speech.
The details required for the purpose of the speech that was made were available. As I have already said, the Minister hopes to be in a position to make a full statement on this on the introduction of the Estimate for his Department.
Is the Minister for Education still hoping, and can we take it, that the introduction of the scheme will be in the autumn of 1967?
The Minister gave the date and that is——
And the Government have not considered it yet?
I am sure the Deputies would not like to create the impression, which they appear to be, that they are actually disappointed with this.
Could the Minister inform us whether or not the scheme will be put into operation before or after the drainage of the Shannon and the implementation of everything contained in the White Paper on Health?
Make him Minister for Transport and Power next year and we will have free transport.
The date on which it will commence was announced.
Question No. 29. There can be no more questions as this matter has been discussed sufficiently at the moment.
