asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the remarks of the Reverend Vice-Chairman of the Dublin Vocational Education Committee with regard to the release of young girls in the dress- and garment-making trades from their employment so as to enable them to attend, during portion of their working day, day-time classes in vocational schools, and if he has any statement to make in connection with this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Education.
I have seen reference in the Press to the remarks in question of the Very Reverend Vice-Chairman of the Dublin Vocational Education Committee, but the matter does not appear to be one which calls for any statement on my part.
Would the Minister not consider it advisable that the greatest possible facilities for instruction of the type mentioned by the Reverend Vice-Chairman of the Dublin Vocational Education Committee should be given to those girls who are employed in the clothing and garment-making trades?
No doubt the idea may be developed by the Vocational Education Committee in Dublin. In connection with their apprenticeship scheme generally, there is sufficient contact of a formal kind on the one hand, and of an informal kind on the other, for the Vocational Education Committee, or members of it, to discuss with any group of employers any development of the idea or the principle that is involved.
Will the Minister not agree that an indication that the idea had the Minister's benediction might be of assistance to those anxious to see it developed?
Well, I do not think that an idea ought to be benedicted or baptised until it has gone beyond the embryo state, in any case.
Is the Minister aware that the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee would at all times be only too happy to meet a group of employers to discuss a subject like this? If he thinks there is any doubt about that in the minds of employers, would he indicate to the employers that the committee would be happy to facilitate them?
I feel that the Vocational Education Committee in the City of Dublin is a responsible and representative enough body to be able to develop its own ideas and to invoke on its own initiative the assistance of anybody that it may think requires to be invoked.
They are trying to invoke the Minister's assistance now.