asked the Minister for Education the number of vacancies for metalwork teachers in vocational schools throughout the country in 1976; and the number of appointments that have been sanctioned by him.

The number of vacancies for metalwork teachers in vocational schools, including regional technical colleges, of which my Department have so far been notified in the session 1976-77 is 29. The number of appointments that have been, or are being, sanctioned is 25.

Would the Minister distinguish further between the ones made and the ones that are being made? How many have not as yet been made of the number he mentioned?

I said that 29 vacancies have been notified to my Department.

Did the Minister say the appointments have been made or are being made?

Some of them have been sanctioned and in other cases interviews are going on and the appointments have not actually been made yet. In fact, there is one in that category.

Would the Minister state if there is any problem with regard to the other four?

When the inquiries were made by my Department as to what vacancies there were, we were informed the number was 29. Four committees have not applied to my Department to sanction four posts. Even though they said there are vacancies they have not applied to my Department to have the posts sanctioned or field.

Would the Minister mind saying what committees they are?

I would not mind, but I cannot at the moment. I have not got that the information in front of me.

The Minister might drop me a line about it.

20.

asked the Minister for Education the number of metalwork teachers that qualified in 1976; and the number of these who have succeeded in getting teaching positions.

A total of 28 trainees obtained full qualifications in 1976 as a result of training courses for teachers of metal work conducted by my Department. Of these trainees, 25 have already obtained teaching positions.

Have any metalwork teaching positions been filled in the country by teachers who are working elsewhere on a part-time basis?

Have any metalwork teaching positions——

Have any teaching posts which were declared vacant in any vocational schools been filled by teachers working elsewhere thus depriving newly trained teachers of a full-time position?

I do not follow the point of the Deputy is trying to elicit. Does he mean people working outside this country or people in other employment or part-time employment?

Specifically, would the Minister say if, in fact, a vacancy for a metalwork teacher in Mullingar Vocational School was advertised and then filled by somebody already working with the committee, somebody who was working overtime and on a part-time basis?

I could not say.

The Deputy is raising a particular matter which deserves a particular question.

Will the Minister inquire about the position?

I will, of course. If the Deputy had put down that question I would have answered it.

I wanted more information and I got none.

I am not trying to be evasive.

Would the Minister say if he has any evidence that trained metalwork teachers who do not succeed in getting employment immediately in our vocational schools are lost to the system because they get jobs in industry subsequently?

No. In fact, my understanding is that the training courses are geared to bring out at the end of the course as near as possible —although it does not always work that way—to the number of trained teachers necessary to fill the vacancies it is thought will exist then.

The Minister said 28 were fully trained. Is that right? They have their full qualifications?

A total of 28 trainees obtained full qualifications of whom 25 have already obtained teaching positions. One is working part-time in Dublin having already refused a job in Donegal. Of the three qualified teachers who have not yet obtained teaching positions, one has already refused an offer of whole-time employment in County Donegal, and the remaining two are applicants for the post on the County Donegal VEC.