asked the Minister for Education whether any discussions have been held with religious teaching orders to work out the detailed arrangements to permit students to avail of free secondary school facilities next September; and, if so, if the results of these discussions have been satisfactory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Secondary School Facilities.
94.
Mr. O'Malley
Discussions have been held with the various school authorities, including the religious teaching orders, and the necessary arrangements for the introduction of the new scheme next September are at present being made.
Has the Minister noticed the comments of some Orders or of individual Superiors who have suggested they will in fact be themselves increasing their fees next September? Has he any comment to make on this? Is he having discussions to avoid this possibility?
Mr. O'Malley
I would ask the Deputy if he has noted my comments in that connection?
That the discussions will continue? The fact is that, as things stand at the moment, as far as the public are aware, statements have been made with the suggestion that fees will be increased. There is a great deal of uneasiness that the overall result of the admirable idea of an instalment of free secondary education will be that the Exchequer will be "salted" for more cash by certain educational interests.
Mr. O'Malley
We are watching the position very closely.
In reference to the Minister's reply to criticism, I take it the language used was not the language of threat but merely a style of speaking?
Mr. O'Malley
It is a question of interpretation.
Would it not be right that the management of schools would be asked to accept it as a manner of speech, a style of oratory, rather than a threat?
Mr. O'Malley
No; it would be a reasonable assumption to look on it as a type of threat.
Have the discussions been successful and will the scheme start as planned next September?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes, the scheme will start as planned next September.
Have the discussions been successful?
Mr. O'Malley
Not fully successful —not as successful as I would wish.
The idea of a threat might still be necessary?
Mr. O'Malley
You could call it a promise as well as a threat.