asked the Minister for Education which sectors of the educational system will be included in the Government's proposed White Paper.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 30 of 15th November, 1977. It would be my intention to refer to all sectors of education in the White Paper.

Could the Minister tell the House whether he is in favour of decentralising the administration of education and, if he does, whether he will take the principle of public accountability into full account when drawing up the White Paper?

The Department of Education will not be starting to take that principle into account. There is considerable decentralisation already and practically total decentralisation as far as vocational education is concerned. A certain amount of decentralisation has already occurred in regard to the office. As the Deputy knows, the examinations branch has been transferred to Athlone.

Does the Minister intend to include the examination structure in the White Paper?

All aspects of education will be covered.

We cannot deal with every matter that may be in the paper at this stage.