asked the Minister for Education if he will proceed immediately with the establishment of a youth exchange bureau in Ireland along the lines proposed by the National Youth Council of Ireland.

In line with the proposal in the White Paper on Youth Policy, In Partnership With Youth, my Department will support the establishment of a bureau for the promotion and development of educational exchanges and visits. The establishment of the bureau will be accomplished in the context of the general development of the national youth service and following consultations with the relevant interest groups, including, of course, the National Youth Council of Ireland. Arrangements are being made for these consultations to take place.

How long will the consultations last? What is the initial response from the Department in regard to the establishment of a bureau?

The initial response is as contained in the Government's White Paper on Youth Policy — it is favouravble — and the Department will support the establishment of a bureau. The Deputy will be aware that the section dealing with youth policy was in the Department of Labour and has been transferred to the Department of Education. I am arranging for the necessary consultations to take place as speedily as possible. I can assure the Deputy that every support will be given to this proposal in the context of what is available to me.