asked the Minister for Education if he would favourably consider the claim put forward by Technicians/Craft Assistants in the RTC, Letterkenny, County Donegal, who are seeking parity with officers of the VEC as if they were employed with the county councils or health boards.

While some informal discussions have, I understand, taken place locally on the matter mentioned by the Deputy the position is that a formal claim has not as yet been made. When the claim has been received in my Department from the vocational education committee it will be fully considered as expeditiously as possible.