asked the Minister for Education whether he will establish an Educational Planning Council to advise him on the expansion of the educational system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Educational Planning Council.
109.
I am satisfied that having regard to the number of advisory committees already functioning in connection with my Department there is no necessity to establish an Educational Planning Council. In fact such a council would in large measures duplicate the work of other bodies.
Mr. FitzGerald
Is the Minister aware that the Investment in Education Committee said in paragraph 13 and 14 of their report that they were of opinion that the assistant secretary responsible for educational development would be greatly assisted in his work if he had the benefit of consultation periodically with an advisory committee consisting of representatives of the Government Department responsible for economic programming, the NIEC and the Director of Statistics.
There are a very considerable number of councils operating already under the aegis of my Department and the Council proposed by the Deputy would appear to me to be duplicating the work of these councils.
Would the Minister say why this recommendation was rejected?
The Deputy did not ask me that question.
That is outside the question.
What the Deputy asked me was if we would establish an educational planning council.
Did the Minister say why it was rejected?
That is a separate question.