asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, his Department has for the provision of primary education and necessary facilities in the Martinstown area of County Limerick.

There is a two-teacher school at Martinstown with an enrolment of about 50 pupils.

Because of the age and general unsuitability of the school building the question of amalgamation of Martinstown and another school, Bulgaden national school, in the same parish, which had earlier been proposed, was again investigated recently. In view of continued local opposition to the amalgamation proposals it has been decided to retain both schools for the present, pending further experience of the enrolments.

In accordance with general policy in relation to small schools, grants are not available for the building or replacement of one- and two-teacher schools or for works of improvement or reconstruction to such schools.

Firstly, I welcome the fact that Martinstown school is not to be closed and that it is being left open on an experimental basis. In the meantime, can the Minister not see his way to make a small grant available to the management committee of the school so that essential repairs might be carried out on the building in order that it can be maintained in a habitable condition for as long as it is kept open, pending the final decision of the Minister's Department?

The general policy is as I have stated but I am prepared to examine any exceptions to that which may be put to me and this is one case in which I will do so.

Can the Minister differentiate between a grant for repairs or reconstruction and essential work?

It is not possible in this particular case.