asked the Minister for Education the plans he has for the continuation, staffing and accommodation of the geo-surveying course in Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin College of Technology.
26.
The question of the organisation and staffing of the Geo-Surveying Course in Bolton Street and of accommodation therefor is primarily a matter for the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee. I understand that the committee will take appropriate measures to ensure that the course is satisfactorily conducted.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, though it is primarily the concern of the vocational education committee, it is also a serious charge on the Department of Education to see that this very important and relevant course is adequately staffed, accommodated and organised?
Naturally enough the Department of Education are very concerned about this matter, but the primary responsibility rests with the Dublin VEC. The acting CEO has confirmed that this course is adequately staffed at present and that he expects this will continue to be the case.
Has the head of the department concerned resigned or has he reconsidered his threatened resignation?
I was not aware of any resignations about to take place.
It was highly publicised that the man in charge and responsible for——
I do not want to go into particulars but I think the case the Deputy has in mind may not be such as to give rise to the concern he has expressed.
I hope so.
27.
asked the Minister for Education his short-term plans for the improvement of facilities for students of the diploma course in construction economics, particularly in the surveying department, at Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin.
28.
asked the Minister for Education his short-term plans for accommodation of trainee architectural technicians at Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 to 28 together.
The Department have approved a proposal from the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee to rent Longford House, Little Longford Street, for the purpose of providing additional accommodation to relieve overcrowding in the architectural and other courses of Bolton Street College.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be so kind as to make a distinction between the two courses and to say where the technicians are going and where the surveying course is going, and if extra accommodation has been provided?
I take it both courses will be affected by the extra accommodation being provided in Longford House and that the accommodation problems which both are experiencing will be substantially relieved as a result of this extension.
My information is that that is not correct.
If the Deputy has information contrary to the information I have given I should be glad to have it from him and I will have the Department investigate it.