Vol. 404 No. 9
47 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Education the names of the members of the primary education policy unit established by her Department; whether the personnel involved have been relieved of other duties to concentrate on policy matters; whether research/ secretarial support has been provided; and whether any policy proposals have already been placed before her by the unit.
I established the primary education policy unit to ensure that policy work would receive the necessary level of priority and attention. It is an integral part of my Department and is closely involved with the various other sections and professional services in the Department concerned with the administration of primary education. Research and secretarial services would be available to the unit.
It is more appropriate that those currently assigned to the policy unit would also be associated in the overall policy work of my Department at primary level.
The Deputy will note in this regard the comprehensive statement I made on 30 January, 1991, in response to the recommendations of the Primary Review body and the Primary Curriculum Review Body. The availability of a policy unit was of considerable assistance to me in the preparation of this statement and it will provide co-ordination for further developments in this and other areas.
