asked the Minister for Education his policy on the utilisation of selection procedures by private secondary schools to discriminate between applicants for places.

Recognised secondary schools are conducted in accordance with the rules for secondary schools and other relevant official regulations. Subject to the provisions of such rules and regulations the authorities of the schools determine the conditions on which pupils are admitted to the schools.

I may add that, as I stated in reply to a question of a similar nature on 11 May 1978 (No. 17), while I have no objection to the use of entrance examinations for assessment purposes, I would deprecate the use of such examinations for the purpose of creaming off the students of higher ability.

Did the Minister tell the audience on "The Late Late Show" that it was not permissible for schools in the free scheme to use entrance examinations to select pupils.

I regard that as something to be deprecated. I have stated so on numerous occasions.

Would the Minister accept there is a difference between deprecating something and him forbidding it?

Would the Deputy make the Department aware of cases where examinations are used for creaming?

Would the Minister accept that the statement he made on "The Late Late Show" is inaccurate?

No.

The Minister told the audience on "The Late Late Show" that it was not permissible to use entrance examinations for selecting pupils. He is now saying he deprecates them. He does not forbid them.

I have no objection to entrance examinations for the purpose of assessment.

The Minister is plainly saying one thing outside the House and something else inside the House. He is much more careful in what he says in the House.

Can the Minister indicate what steps he intends to take to ensure that there will not be discrimination in respect of the intake of pupils into secondary schools?

I have made public my views on this matter. I strongly deprecate any attempt to select the best pupils by entrance examinations. I cannot, stop private schools from having entrance examinations.

If the Minister is aware that the basis of the intake of students to all schools should be on the basis of a catchment area, does he consider it necessary in this context to ensure that all children have equal access to all schools, including secondary schools? Does he intend to ensure that this is so, in view of the large subvention which the State makes to secondary schools?

The Deputy has raised a very good point there. The Department insists that the catchment area provision for people who live in the vicinity of the school should get first choice.

How?

By informing managerial bodies.

In view of the large State subvention to secondary schools, indeed to all schools, is the Minister not obliged to take effective action to ensure that the catchment area principle is well established, recognised and implemented?

Since I became Minister for Education I have taken steps on numerous occasions to see that any faults in that area were remedied.

Has the Minister made inquiries from secondary schools as to whether they are using the examination or test system with a view to creaming off students?

From replies which I received from managers, I accept they are not using examinations for creaming.

In any schools?

From schools that I make inquiries of.

Has the Minister or his Department made a general inquiry?

Our policy is made known generally to the managerial authorities of these schools and, when specific instances occur, we make inquiries and make our views clear.