asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that Vocational Education Committees can adequately interpret paragraph 2.8 of the action plan in education which states that they may appoint regional art organisers from within the total personnel available to the committees, as those committees are already operating within very strict confines; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Programme for Action.
14.
Discussions will take place with representatives of the Irish Vocational Education Association and the Teachers' Union of Ireland before a circular letter is prepared for issue to vocational education committees in relation to the implementation of this proposal. I am not in a position to anticipate such discussions by way of observations on the proposal in reply to the question from the Deputy.
Would the Minister accept that paragraph 2.8 of the Programme for Action in Education states that VECs may appoint regional organisers from within the total personnel available to the committees? Is the Minister aware that no additional finance has been provided to enable the VECs to so appoint those persons? Is she also aware of the very great need of education in the arts, particularly in the vocational education sphere but also in the wider adult education sphere? My real question is — what money is the Minister going to give towards this provision?
The Deputy is well aware that the question of money will arise on next year's Estimates.
The Minister is raising red herrings all over the place.
That was a while ago, and the Estimate in question is for 1985.
That is right.