asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when it is expected to reach the target of 100 farm training centres as set out in para graph 5.95 of the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Training.
44.
This will depend on what is practicable for county committees of agriculture in providing the centres, of which as stated in the programme, there will ultimately be about 100. Committees have so far either provided or selected locations for 58 centres.
Could the Minister say when he expects to have 100 farm training centres available and if it is still Government policy that a centre should be within ten miles——
I have reservations about that. I think the radius suggested then may not be the optimum.
Has the Minister consulted anybody?
No.
Would the Minister consider doing so?
Certainly.
45.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate the progress made in regard to the proposal in paragraph 5.96 of the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development for the provision of a course in elementary agriculture for boys who leave school at the end of the compulsory school attendance period; the number of meetings which took place between his Department and the Department of Education in relation to the matter; and the proposals put forward.
Inter-Departmental examination of this matter has proceeded in the normal way and I do not consider it appropriate to give details at this juncture. I cannot say when the issues involved can be fully dealt with and firm arrangements proposed.
Is the Minister aware this matter was announced in the Third Programme which was published in 1969, that we are now virtually at the end of that programme and that we are no further on than when the Programme, on which Fianna Fáil fought the last general election, was announced? Why has nothing been done?
A great deal has been done in regard to the training of people coming into farming, even in the last 12 months. The initiative must come from the county committees and that is why provision was made in the Programme to make substantial grants available to county committees.
Does the Minister not know this question does not relate to farm training but to courses in the primary schools? Could he say why nothing has been done about such courses since they were announced?
Does Deputy Bruton think he has a licence to put all these supplementaries without being called on by the Chair?
May I put a supplementary question to the Minister?
On Question No. 45.
I gather you do not like Deputy Bruton.
If Deputy O'Donovan does not hurry he will be too late.
He is waiting to be called on.
Has the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries taken a lesson from the Tánaiste on answering Parliamentary questions?
The Deputy flatters me.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.