asked the Minister for Education what is the position regarding the erection of the proposed new technical school at Clara, County Offaly; and if he is now in a position to give an approximate date for the commencement of work on the erection of this school.

I understand that the County Offaly Vocational Education Committee are at present having a re-examination of this question undertaken with a view to determining, in the light of the most recent information available, what size of school had best be provided at Clara. I am awaiting the result of this re-examination and the Committee's further proposals. It would appear from present indications that it should be possible to have building operations commenced within a year.