asked the Minister for Education whether it is his intention to proceed with the setting up of a national parents council; if so, when he expects such a council to come into operation; and if he will give details of its financing etc.

Submissions were invited by way of advertisement in the press on 18 February 1982 from interested parties as to the possible structure, responsibilities and method of election of a national parents council. When the submissions have been received and examined, the matter of the establishment of such a council, and other related matters, will be given due consideration.

Has any consideration been given to the question of financing and, if so, what kind of funding is the Minister speaking about?

As I indicated in my reply, other related matters will be given due consideration in the context of examining the submissions. It would be premature at this stage to try to anticipate the outcome of such examination.

(Limerick East): Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he proposing to set up a council without terms of reference? Will the terms of reference be laid down by the Minister before the council is set up?

I have made no such proposals.

(Limerick East): What terms of reference will operate?

The first step is to receive submissions from all interested parties, to have those carefully examined and, when that procedure has been followed, I will, of course, formulate some proposals.

The Minister said he has not given consideration to the question of funding this council. Is it possible that the council might be set up and expectations raised which could not be subsequently honoured unless the Minister gives some idea as to the question of what kind of resources will be available?

Deputy Boland, your question has been answered by supplementaries.

Would the Minister not be prepared to honour the undertaking which had previously been given, that the Department of Education should supply the funding so as to provide a secretariat for any such proposed council?

Related matters, such as the funding, secretariat or any other relevant arrangements would all be dealt with in the context of decisions emerging from examination of the various submissions. I share the Deputy's wish to see parents having an adequate role in the operation of our educational system. For that reason, I am interested in receiving the submissions which are coming in as a result of decisions he had taken but I think at this juncture it would be wrong of me to anticipate the outcome of that examination.