asked the Minister for Education if he has received a request from the Cork Health Authority to provide educational facilities for children who are long-term patients in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; and, if so, what steps he has taken to provide the facilities.

My Department received such a request in 1961. As there were in all only three pupils involved the recognition of a national school in the hospital would not be warranted. Consideration is, however, being given at the present time to a scheme which would cater for these and other individual children who due to illness have to remain at home or in hospitals for a considerable period.