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.