Would the Minister care to comment on why some schools, particularly those referred to as old-fashioned secondary schools, can afford to be selective in cases like this, whereas vocational schools take all comers?

I am assured that in this area selection is based on examinations in some cases and also if the children have brothers or sisters in the school there is a rather natural desire on the part of parents to keep families together and there is a willingness on the part of the schools to accede to that desire. There are a number of reasons why schools do not take pupils—not any one reason.

This implies that all children are not given a fair chance of entry into some of those schools.

Not necessarily.

They are not always selected on ability. They are selected on relationships or standing.

Does the Deputy disagree with that?

I do.

This is leading to argument.

All children were supposed to get an equal chance to go to the school of their choice and if they were clever enough they could go on for third level education.

We are departing from Question Time. Order.

I accept broadly what the Deputy has said. I fully understand the position of parents who have two sons in one school and another coming along and want him to go to school with the others. That is a perfectly understandable desire on the parents' part. I sympathise with the schools in question who seek to satisfy parents in that way.

Will the Minister let me know the outcome?

I think I have let the Deputy know but I will be glad to let him know of any further developments.

The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.