asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the serious cut-backs in the 1979 financial scheme for Tralee VEC, under the heading of (i) maintenance of schools and classes; (ii) scholarships; and to allocate additional finance to meet the estimate as prepared and submitted by that Committee.

264.

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the serious cut-backs in the 1979 financial scheme for County Kerry VEC under the headings of (i) maintenance of schools and classes; (ii) scholarships; and if he will allocate additional finance to meet the estimate as prepared and submitted by that Committee.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.

I am aware of the amounts sought by these vocational education committees and of the allocations made by my Department in the committees' financial scheme for 1979 under both of the headings specified in the Question.

Appeals by the committees against these allocations were received in my Department from the town of Tralee VEC on 30 March last and on 21 March from the County Kerry VEC. These appeals are at present being examined in my Department.