asked the Minister for Education if male students in colleges of education are required to follow courses in needlework or singing as part of their professional education; if female students are required to follow such courses; and the reasons for any such discrepancy in the course to be followed by students of different sexes.

While my Department approves the courses conducted in the colleges of education, it is a matter for the authorities of each college to adopt the courses to meet their own particular needs. I understand that this is done as far as possible on the basis of elective options and the question of any discrepancy should not, therefore, arise.

Am I to understand that the Minister has not acquainted himself with the exact situation in colleges in relation to courses that may be obligatory for students of one sex rather than another? That is the core of the question and I would have expected him to answer it. Are there any obligatory subjects or are there some subjects that are obligatory for women and not for men, and vice versa?

My reply covers the matter adequately. There are options. If a male student opts for needlework I have no doubt he will be provided with facilities for taking needlework.

Is the Minister saying there are not compulsory subjects in the training colleges?

As I have indicated in my reply, the Department's function is the approval of courses and it is a matter for the authorities of the colleges to adopt courses to meet their needs. The elective options are within that framework and the student-teacher may elect to do a certain subject or subjects.

Have the Department approved courses in which some subjects are compulsory for some students and not for others?

That is not the question I have been asked. I do not think the word "compulsory" occurs in the question.

Line 3 states "required to follow such courses".

As the Deputy knows, the options are there. Since the three year course became a university course the university also has a say in the options. My function is purely to approve courses and allow the colleges to run their own affairs.