(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Education if he has sanctioned or approved the payment of allowances in respect of children of married teachers and if so, when same will be paid.

The question is at present under discussion by the Conciliation Council for Teachers and, accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment on it at this stage.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Has the payment of children's allowances to lady teachers been sanctioned yet?

The Deputy should discuss this privately.

(Cavan-Monaghan): There is nothing private about it.

The Deputy is taking up the time of the House.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I can hear Donegal questions taking up quite long periods of time.

The Deputy is aware of the procedures at the conciliation council. He knows that if there is agreement at the conciliation council that agreement becomes effective. If there is disagreement there will be arbitration, and the Deputy will agree with me that it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this moment while this matter is being treated by the conciliation council.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am looking for information. May I take it then that the payment of these allowances in respect of the children of lady teachers has not yet been sanctioned?

It cannot be sanctioned until the conciliation council have reported.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Minister do anything to hurry it up—cut another bit of red tape there?

I cannot. These are problems for conciliation.