asked the Minister for Education the number of musical organisers and/or regional art organisers that are presently employed by Vocational Education Committees.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to regional adult education organisers with duties specifically related to the Arts.

Yes.

The number of such organisers is four.

There are in Ireland only four vocational educational committees that can afford to employ such people and does the Minister consider this desirable?

The Deputy is probably aware that in 1979 a total of 50 adult education organisers was sanctioned by the then Minister for Education. Three were to cater on a regional basis for duties specifically related to the arts in general and the fourth is a long-standing post of music organiser in County Cork.

What forward plans has the Minister for the further use of these people? I am glad that she has acknowledged that in 1979 the then Minister for Education, Deputy Wilson, took the very innovative step of appointing 50 of these people throughout the country. Is the Minister prepared to further that Minister's good work in this field?

As I said in reply to a previous question, the matter of extending the scheme will be discussed with the interested parties, as to how we can arrange for some additional organisers within the terms of paragraph 2.8 of the programme of action.