asked the Minister for Local Government why his Department have not recruited trainee planners since 1967 notwithstanding the provision in the estimates for such personnel and the grave shortage of qualified town planners; and what action will now be taken to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trainee Town Planners.
32.
The recruitment of trainee planners was by way of an experiment with the object of increasing the supply of qualified planners. Competitions to provide the first group of trainees were held in 1966 and 1967. The course of study which this group undertook concluded in September, 1969. The results of the experiment are considered worthwhile. Recruitment of another group of trainees is being considered.
Can the Minister say why it was experimental?
It was a new idea for the acquisition of qualified planners. It was undertaken on an experimental scale first and the experiment, having concluded, has been assessed as being worthwhile. It is proposed now to have another such scheme but this one will not be experimental.
The Minister interrupted me before I had completed my question, but he has given an interesting answer to the first part of it. I would like to know, if it was experimental why a figure for the recruitment of a similar number each year was continued to be put in the Estimates when no decision had been made on the basis of the experiment.
I did not know that was done.