asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in the publishing of the report of the Commission on Adult Education.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - Adult Education Report.
12.
There has been no undue delay in relation to the publication of the adult education report following its completion. It is being printed at present and I anticipate that it will be available within a period of one month.
When was the report on adult education received by the Minister and the Government?
My information is that the commission were set up in October 1981. The report was presented in June 1983. Consultations with other Government Departments had to take place after that. It is a broad-ranging report and involves a great deal of consideration.
How can the Minister of State say there was no undue delay since it has been with the Minister for nine or ten months? What importance does the Minister and the Department attach to the report on adult education, bearing in mind the fact that there is precious little about it in the Action Plan in Education? How serious is the Minister about the implementation of the findings of the Commission on Adult Education?
There is a simple question on the Order Paper.
We are not getting a simple answer.
The question asked the Minister to explain the delay in publishing a report. That does not give scope for anticipating the report and discussing the policy involved.
We are seeking clarification.
The question asks the reason for the delay. I have told Deputy O'Rourke what the current position is. I told her when the commission were set up and when the report was made available to the Minister. When the Minister received the report, consultations had to take place with other Departments. I anticipate that the report will be available within a period of one month. It has now gone for printing. The Deputy is complaining that she is not getting adequate information. To me that is a full reply to the question tabled. I am sorry I cannot give the Deputy any more information.
We are making a general point.
You cannot make a general point on a specific question.