andMr. E. Collins asked the Minister for Education if he will consider alternative forms of management for secondary schools already in existence, or those about to be built.

: As secondary schools are privately-owned institutions the question of their form of management is primarily one for the authorities of the schools.

: Regarding the management of schools which hypothetically or otherwise may be about to close or which may close in the future, would the Minister be favourably disposed to considering alternative forms of management such as a community-type management by lay personnel or vocational educational management? I appreciate that there may not be a request before the Minister for approval for such structures but it is important that we know what would be his attitude in such eventuality.

: I have sufficient real problems without trying to deal with ones that are hypothetical. However, in some instances of problems such as those referred to there has been a take-over by lay management.

: Perhaps some of the problems we are talking of are not all that hypothetical.

: I was only repeating the word used by the Deputy.

: As I apologised for interrupting you, I would expect the same courtesy.

: I apologise for interrupting you.

: Will Deputies and the Minister please address the Chair?

: Regarding some of the schools that are closing at present, would the Minister make it known that perhaps he would be open to considering the different types of management if the parties involved were agreeable to put proposals to him? Obviously, if the Minister's answer is no, the people concerned will not put proposals to him whereas they may do so if his answer is yes.

: The Minister has said yes already in a number of cases of schools being closed and will deal with situations on the basis of reality, not hypothesis.

: Therefore, the Minister is agreeable?

: I have agreed already.

: I am calling the next question.

: Will this apply to the inner city schools in Dublin?

: Order.