asked the Minister for Education the precise plans, if any, she has for continuing and expanding the programme for eliminating sexism and sex stereotyping in education introduced in 1984; and the financial allocation for the programme in 1987 as compared to 1986 and 1985.

I can assure the Deputy that the importance of removing barriers to gender equality in the education system is one of the Government's highest priorities. My own Department are very conscious of the continuing need to highlight this problem and take every opportunity, through the inspectorate, special projects, inservice training etc., to draw attention to the problem in order to increase the awareness of all concerned — educators, parents and young people themselves.

I am pleased to say that provision of £60,000 has been made in the 1987 estimates in order to promote a programme of equality of educational opportunity during the current financial year. I feel that this allocation compares very favourably with the figure of £30,000 provided in 1986, while no special allocation was made for this area in 1985.

We have planned, and already initiated, activities at both national and international levels for 1987 despite the critical financial constraints within which the Government are working, and of which the Deputy is aware.

At the national level, I have agreed to extend the scheme of pilot intervention projects in the physical sciences. The aim of these projects is to increase the number of girls studying in this area. In September 1987 the scheme will be initiated in two additional regions, viz. the south-east and in Cork city. In effect this means that in the second year 1987-88 there will be six project schools each in a different region and about 15 associated schools, that is, schools acquiring advice /assistance from the project schools, within the scheme. I arranged for my inspectorate to conduct a monitoring and evaluation of the progress of the scheme recently and the results to date have been most encouraging.

Indications are at this stage that the Department are moving in the right direction with regard to the promotion of the physical sciences in girls' schools.

All management training provided by the Department for senior school staffs will incorporate specific study of the role of school management in the elimination of gender inequality in educational provision.

In welcoming wholeheartedly the Minister's statement that this programme remains a priority, I would like to ask one question. If, as a result of the falling numbers of teachers because of the vice-principal cutback science subjects are affected in girls' schools, will she take steps to ensure that girls will not lose the training in science they need?

That is the subject of a later question on the Order Paper. I have taken steps in my Department to reactivate the working group on equality and have requested the committee to report to me outlining possible strategies which might be implemented to bring about greater equality of educational opportunities. In 1986 my predecessor expended the sum of £14,000 approximately on the equality programme and this year I intend to expend £60,000 on this provision and on the examination of equality opportunities. This is a programme in which I have taken an enormous personal interest, which is evidenced in my reply.