asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that teaching hours are curtailed in the Dublin Dental Hospital; that as a result student attendances at sessions are affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

17.

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that as a result of a Labour Court recommendation six senior instructor dental technicians are working for only 50 per cent of their day in a teaching capacity and that as a result fourth year dental students have been informed that, due to a shortfall in hours in the Prosthesis Department, they will lose six months course time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.

I have no function in the matter of the fixing of timetables in the Dublin Dental Hospital. This is a matter for the board of the hospital.

Is the Minister aware that the dental technicians are teaching for 50 per cent of their working day? Apart from the Labour Court decision, on which I do not want to make a judgment, there is now a danger that the fourth-year dental students will be delayed for six months in their course and that the students following them will be involved in the build-up of chaos. Some action should be taken to ensure that the students' education is not delayed.

I appreciate the Deputy's concern and I will do all I can to solve the problem in the Dublin Dental Hospital.

Does the Minister not agree that he has an active part to play under the present structure of the Dublin Dental Hospital?

There are two Ministers involved, the Ministers for Health and Education.

Can I take it that the Minister will become actively involved in the present impassé?

The Deputy can take it that whatever I am involved in I am actively involved in.

Will the Minister become actively involved?

The Deputy has asked that question a number of times.

Is the Minister going to allow the students to suffer?

I am not going to allow the students to suffer.