asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in relation to the scheduled catchment areas, the anticipated requirements of school places in each centre by 1970 and in particular, the anticipated requirements in (a) Ballycastle, (b) Newport and (c) Belmullet, County Mayo.

Estimates of the kind sought by the Deputy were given in the reports on post-primary facilities in each county published by my Department in 1966-67. These estimates, however, are reviewed in individual cases as circumstances demand, e.g. where building proposals are under consideration. A global revision has not been considered necessary but I would inform the Deputy that we are planning for a total of 200,000 post-primary places by 1970.

Ballycastle forms one catchment area with Lacken, while Newport is now part of the Westport catchment area. It is estimated that some 550 places will be required in the Belmullet area.