asked the Minister for Education the progress he has made towards the introduction of a careers' foundation course, and the creation of a certificate based thereon.

: A review has been undertaken within my Department of existing courses and examinations with particular reference to the element of career orientation in them. It is anticipated that a draft outline of a careers foundation course will be available early in the school-year 1978-79 for the purpose of discussions with teacher and school managerial organisations.

: In the context of the draft which is to come before various interests, might I ask the Minister what consultation or input has already gone into it? From where has the inspiration for it been drawn? For instance, has the Minister been looking at similar type courses abroad?

: Yes, the Department have been studying similar type courses abroad; also pre-employment courses are being run, about 100 of them, in this country with a view to seeing how relevant they would be to, say, a first year career orientation course.

: When might we expect the actual career foundation course to be included as an integral part of the curriculum?

: I have given the Deputy as much information as I can at present. I hope it will be available within the reasonable future.