asked the Minister for Education when the Swiss/Irish Institute of Horology was set up, and by whom; how it is financed; and the contribution, financial and otherwise, made towards the institute by the Swiss watch industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horological Institute.
48.
The Irish/Swiss Institute of Horology was set up in June, 1964 following the signing of an agreement between my Department and the Swiss Federation of Watch Manufacturers.
Under the terms of the agreement the specialist teaching equipment for the institute was supplied by the federation, at a cost of over £10,000, and the federation also paid the full salaries of the technical teachers for the first six years of operation of the institute, as well as the cost of the individual tool kits supplied to the students and certain other costs. The remaining costs were paid by the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
The agreement was revised as from June, 1970, and now provides that the running expenses of the institute hitherto borne by the Swiss Federation are now shared—one-third is borne by the Irish educational authorities and two-thirds by the Swiss watch industry. The County Dublin Vocational Education Committee bear the cost of additional teaching and secretarial services and accommodation.