asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to establish a public record office in each county town for original and photocopy material which will be available for the teaching of new curriculum history in primary schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Record Offices.
25.
Mr. R. Burke
The question of the establishment of public record offices in each county town would not be one for decision by my Department and would in the normal way be decided by considerations other than the one suggested by the Deputy.
Would the Minister consider it desirable and, if he would, would he be prepared to get a subvention from his departmental funds for this type of project?
Mr. R. Burke
I assume that it would be desirable but, as I said, it is not one for decision by my Department and therefore I would not like to express an opinion.
Does the Minister remember that really marvellous section of the New Curriculum Handbook for Primary Schools dealing with history and, if he does, does he realise that good teachers are being frustrated simply for lack of these facilities, and if they are being frustrated how could the Minister say that it would not be a function of his Department to make this provision?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy will realise that my Parliamentary Secretary has under way in two centres on a pilot basis an educational service based on institutions of science and art, National Museum, Library and Gallery. I assume that in the context of those services this service might be offered to people.
Archival, mainly, is what I am interested in—documents and so forth.
Mr. R. Burke
I agree with the Deputy that this would be very desirable, but a public record office does not fall within the ambit of my Department and as Minister I have not got responsibility for the provision thereof.
Teaching aids do fall within the ambit of the Department, and these are absolutely essential if one is to carry out the new curriculum for primary schools.
Mr. R. Burke
The teachers' centres do have access to materials of this nature or teachers do, in fact, prepare materials of this nature themselves.
Some counties do not have teachers. That is the trouble.
Mr. R. Burke
We are working towards a total of 40.
There is a question coming up of a full-time director in Cork. I am warning the Minister.
Mr. R. Burke
I thank the Deputy.