asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made with the proposal for the introduction of suitable university level courses for primary teachers by October this year, as projected by his predecessor in the Seanad on 20th June last year; and if these courses will not be available next October, whether he will now reconsider the decision to withhold the new university student grants from students at teacher training colleges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Courses for Primary Teachers.
113.
The Higher Education Authority has been asked to submit recommendations concerning the co-ordination of the training course for primary school teachers with appropriate university courses. These recommendations are expected before the end of the present year.
Under the legislation governing the higher education grants there could be no question of awarding these grants in respect of courses which do not lead to a university degree or its equivalent.
Is the Minister not aware that his predecessor said he hoped to see these courses operating this October and that his justification for passing over the training colleges in regard to these grants was that there would be a delay of only one year. Would the Minister state whether, since this hope, or promise, or expectation has not been fulfilled, he will now reconsider the position about grants made on the basis that this facility would be available within one year?
I am not so aware. What I said was I would have the recommendations by the end of the year, I hope, and, as soon as I get them, I shall have them examined.
If the Minister is not so aware would he read column 606 of the Seanad Debates, 1966?
I am pretty certain that many other members of the Seanad also spoke.