asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the proposals to extend RTE's involvement in educational broadcasting, indicating the proposed areas of involvement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Educational Broadcasting.
27.
I have not been officially informed of any proposals to extend RTE's involvement in educational broadcasting.
I may add, however, that I announced on 19 March 1980 the setting up of a committee to undertake a study of the value of educational broadcasting. The committee will include two members to be nominated by Radio Telifís Éireann.
Would the Minister not agree that it is time that we initiated a comprehensive system of broadcasting educational material both for schools and, more particularly, for adults who wish to partake in recurrent education? His lack of knowledge about RTE's involvement strikes me as rather peculiar. Would he explain the reasons for setting up a committee and also state his hopes in relation to RTE establishing a comprehensive service in relation to educational broadcasting?
The reason for setting up the committee is that my Department, in association with the people mentioned by me, wanted to see what advance could be made in educational broadcasting. It has representatives of the Unions, Department of Finance, Department of Posts and Telegraphs, RTE and so on. The immediate reason for setting it up is that it arises out of the conditions of the national understanding.
Can we expect, as a result of the committee's deliberations, a comprehensive system of educational broadcasting both on radio and television specifically geared towards the needs of school children and adults who wish to partake in recurrent education?
The Deputy can accept that whatever proposals come from the committee will receive due consideration in my Department and if it is to the educational advantage of the country that schemes be developed they will be.
Is there any date on which the committee will report to the Minister or will it be a long report which will be eventually pigeonholed?
The people represented on the committee are people accustomed to committee work who are fully aware of the necessity of not being too dilatory in producing reports.