I notice that the phrase "continuation schools" is used in this section whereas the Minister in his Second Reading speech referred all the time to post-primary schools. Are we failing to call a spade a spade or is this a definition in some Act?
Vocational Education (Amendment) Bill, 1970: Committee and Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That section 1 stand part of the Bill."
Yes. "Continuation education" means education that continues after primary school. It includes training for industry and so on.
It has a statutory definition?
Yes, in the original Act.
Miss Bourke
May I ask the Minister in what way he proposes to recognise other schools such as private schools?
The schools we recognise at the moment would be the schools recognised for this purpose.
There will be no discrimination against lay secondary schools?
No.
They have the feeling they are being squeezed out. The section goes on to state: "jointly with a person maintaining such school". How does this apply to local Christian Brothers' schools? Do they come within the meaning of "a person"?
Legally, it covers all of them.
Question put and agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill."
What is the meaning of, "the end of the second election year"? Is this something I should know all about?
What it means in effect is that if a committee are abolished they must be reconstituted within a maximum period of ten years. Under this Bill they can be reconstituted at any time but in the previous Act they could only be reconstituted in the first or second election year. The Vocational Education Committee in Limerick under the Act as it stood could not be reconstituted until 1972, which is the first election year, but under the terms of this Bill they can be reconstituted immediately.
Ten years did not leap automatically to my mind.
Ten would be the maximum. In other words, if the committee were abolished shortly after being elected there could possibly be a ten-year period in which to reconstitute them; if it were later, then the time would be shorter.
It is highly desirable in promoting the type of co-operation envisaged in this Bill to have on vocational education committees representatives from other educational groups within the area of the committee.
They are bound under the main Act to select a number of persons with educational interests.
I know there is provision made in the setting up of vocational education committees for representatives from the INTO to sit on these committees. Is there a provision made in this Bill for representatives of secondary teachers to do the same?
The original Act refers to "all educational interests".
To follow up the point made by Professor Quinlan, if we are to get this very desirable co-operation there would be no harm in spelling out to county councils that they are bound to appoint members of the INTO and other organisations to vocational education committees.
This is a matter for the county councils.
I think the Minister ought to exercise pressure and ensure that representatives from other bodies are included. I have in mind lay secondary teachers within the area and the religious orders. At least one member of a religious order should be on a committee.
I shall bear that suggestion in mind.
Am I right in saying there is no statutory obligation to appoint INTO members as such?
Yes.
It is something that has always been done.
Question put and agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.
The Chair would like to know if it is proposed to take No. 3, Tourist Traffic Bill, along with No. 6, the Motion?
They are to be discussed together.