asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the inadequacy of vocational education in Drogheda noted in Report on Investment in Education and again in the Drogheda manpower report, he will take steps to establish a regional college of technology in Drogheda.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drogheda College of Technology.
48.
I am satisfied that the nine new regional technical colleges, including one in Dundalk, which will be provided outside Dublin city area will cater adequately for the national needs in relation to higher technical and technological education. I do not feel, therefore, that it is necessary to provide such a college at Drogheda.
Can the Minister say — or has he the information — whether there will be a mileage limit beyond which pupils will not be allowed to attend this college?
I am sure all pupils will be within the limits of some college of this type.
Surely the Minister will agree that if there is no college between Dundalk and Dublin, it will be extremely hard on those who come from south of Drogheda if they are not allowed to attend in Dundalk or in Dublin because they are too far away?
Such a situation will not arise. No matter where a college is situated, its location will create certain hardships for some children.
Is the Minister aware that in some schools it has been made the rule that they cannot go beyond a certain distance to attend even the inadequate facilities that are available near where the children live? This is a problem that has to be faced.
As I said, I believe all the children in the country will be within the range of one of these colleges and therefore facilities will be available to them.
Those who are attending them now will no longer be children by the time that situation is reached.
Will the Minister not agree that Limerick has been——
The question relates to Drogheda. We cannot have a general discussion at this point.
We were promised all this at the by-election.