asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the educational facilities to be provided at Ballybeg, Waterford.

The Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to report on a site on which it is proposed to erect two 16 classroom primary schools to cater for children from the Kilbarry-Ballybeg area. On receipt of a favourable report, the manager will be authorised by my Department to have sketch plans drawn up by his architect for the first of the two schools.

The second level education needs of the Ballybeg and Kilbarry areas will be served initially by the new second-level school to be established in Lisduggan under the auspices of the City of Waterford Vocational Education Committee. Consideration will be given to the establishment of a separate second-level school in Ballybeg-Kilbarry as the population of the area increases.

Could I crave your indulgence and the indulgence of the Minister? At 4 p.m. yesterday we were crushed on the question about no new posts in schools. I would be very grateful to the Minister if he would give just a little expansion of the written answer on that question.

We cannot refer to the business of yesterday. Ceist a 3.

Is the Minister aware that it is almost 12 months since the request was sent to his Department in regard to this matter and that negotiations went on over December last, when it was requested of his Department that the inspector be sent to visit the site? No acknowledgment of that request has been received to date. Is there a possibility that the site will be inspected without further delay?

I take it that the Deputy is referring to the primary schools site?

Yes.

The position there is that the manager has acquired a seven-acre site and it is understood that the Office of Public Works has recently inspected the site and consider it suitable for schools of the sizes mentioned.

How recently has inspection taken place? Would it be since the question was put down?

I am not responsible for the Office of Public Works and would not have that information.