SENATOR KEMP -Just while Senator Calvert is seeking that question on ESL I wonder whether I could just point out that quite a number of the questions I will be going putting will require quite a degree of detail. I wondered whether it would speed the journey of the Committee if I put these questions on notice, which I will gather as I go through the programs and then pass them on. Would that suit you, Minister?

SENATOR BOLKUS -I think that should be okay. What I might do though, at this stage, is indicate that if the replies require excessive resources we will have to come back to the Committee. Secondly, I would not mind seeing them for non-resource issues before they are finally put on notice. But I think it is an acceptable procedure.

SENATOR KEMP -I wonder whether the officers of the Department could provide a breakdown of funds provided under the disadvantaged schools program to government and non-government schools.

MR RUBY -The estimate for this financial year for the government sector is $47 .482m.

SENATOR KEMP -Right.

MR RUBY -And for the non-government sector it is $9.222m.

SENATOR KEMP -Would you have the previous year's figures there?

MR RUBY -For the government sector it was $44.772m and for the non-government sector it was $7.436m.

SENATOR KEMP -I think that it was stated previously that in relation to this program, and I am quoting from a departmental source, moves to train Aboriginal teachers and teacher aides and to ensure appropriate career and educational guidance is provided are also under way, and the Department had set some programs in train. I just wondered whether officials could inform the Committee of what has happened in this area.

DR JOHNSTON -I think we would prefer to take it on notice and provide you with a written response.

SENATOR KEMP -Thank you.

SENATOR CALVERT -I was going to ask in relation to the ESL program, what guidelines exist in relation to access for intensive classes? I note here the amounts it has provided, but what guidelines exist in relation to the access?

MR RUBY -Our program guidelines for 1991 deal with all of the criteria for eligibility for provision of that kind. I am quite happy to make a copy available.

SENATOR CALVERT -Thank you, I would appreciate that. It will save my asking the other two questions. I refer now to the students at risk program, at page 35. Would you have any idea how many students have been involved in the student risk program since it was introduced, and what the cost has been?

MR RUBY -We do not have data from the States on the number of students that are involved. I am quite happy to see whether we can gather that and provide it to you. As to the overall cost, as a matter of interest, the current program year provides for a further $5m. This will be a slight increase on the last three years.

SENATOR CALVERT -I notice that under subprogram 1.2 country area funded projects are also mentioned. When I look through the financial resources, at page 36, I note what you were talking about earlier, that retention measures for Tasmania are flagged. What country area funded projects have been provided for Tasmania, and what percentage would they be of the overall national allocation?

MR RUBY -The guideline booklet that I gave you earlier contains information on the allocations to States and on the priorities for the use of country area program funds. The National Board for Employment, Education and Training issued a report concerning provision in rural areas which the Government considered in making an extension to the country area program for the coming program year. That extension has as one of its aims the promotion of increased retention in senior secondary years. That will involve a number of strategies , we believe, but the final guidelines are still with Minister Dawkins.