asked the Minister for Education if he proposes to inaugurate any pilot schemes for integrated or multi-denominational education; and, if so, where and when such schemes will be inaugurated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Multi-Denominational Education.
16.
I do not propose to inaugurate any such pilot schemes. Proposals for the establishment of multi-denominational schools in the Marley Grange area and in Dalkey, County Dublin, are, however, under consideration in my Department at present.
The Dalkey project has reached an advanced stage and it seems likely that the proposed school will commence operation, in temporary premises, in July next.
The Marley Grange project is encountering some difficulties both in relation to the acquisition of premises and with regard to the enrolment of pupils. My Department await further proposals from the organisers of the project.
Is the Minister aware that the Leader of his party on several occasions, and most recently on 3 March 1977, advocated such a pilot scheme for schools? Are we now to understand that no such pilot scheme for schools is to be established by the Minister or his Department?
I can assure the Deputy that I pay very close attention to what-ever my party leader says and I am very careful to implement it, which I am doing in the case of the schools mentioned.
Am I right in thinking the Minister's reply indicated that there was a difference between a pilot scheme and the Dalkey and Marley experiments he is talking about? Would he explain why this very strong suggestion made on several occasions by the Leader of his party has been ignored by him?
The Deputy is wrong in saying I regard the scheme as not being a pilot scheme.
Am I right in thinking a pilot scheme is something different and new? Is the Minister right when he says the Dalkey and Marley schemes are being advanced under existing regulations in his Department? There is nothing pilot about them in that respect.
Perhaps the Deputy's definition of a pilot and my definition of a pilot are different.