asked the Minister for Education if his Department will sanction the hours of teaching computer studies for payment of incremental salary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Computer Studies.
This matter is under consideration at present in the context of the rules and programme for secondary schools.
Is the Minister aware that the society in question submitted a syllabus two years ago? It has been under consideration by his Department for that length of time. Does he not think it is about time a decision was given in the matter? It seems most peculiar that we do not have a computer study programme in this country in our post-primary schools. Does the Minister agree that we should have such a course?
I will take the Deputy's word for it that there was a submission in 1976 and I am personally interested in it. There are some technical problems as to whether, for example, the studies should be independent or should form part of a mathematics or statistics programme. It is not simple. I must be advised by my officials as to which is the best system. There are about 50 schools, secondary and vocational, working on computer studies at the moment.