Is the Minister aware that at present teachers feel abandoned by the Department of Education in matters of discipline as they do not seem to have any clear guidelines under which to operate? I heartily agree with the question which Deputy Mac Giolla tabled on the matter.

Is the Minister aware that the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio introduced by her on a discriminatory basis against vocational schools has caused particular difficulties in introducing new subjects? Because of the operation of the last in first out principle, a school that gets a new subject teacher, is likely to lose him or her if there is any reduction in numbers at the school.

The question of circulars on the code of discipline and the directions issuing from that was tabled as a priority question but it was not reached because of the extensive supplementary questions on the three previous questions. The pupil-teacher ratio in vocational and community-comprehensive schools is to be reviewed in the light of the Government's commitment under the Programme for National Recovery. I would not accept the assertion that the introduction of a subject is militated against because of the present staff structures. Most schools are innovative and have made great strides in the introduction of new subjects.

That is not so.

There are a number of Deputies offering. Clearly I cannot call you all. We have dwelt at length on this question and I should like to deal with other questions. If the four Deputies offering are very brief I will call them.