asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the overcrowding in Powerstown national school, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement regarding the proposal to extend the school to facilitate children who have been refused enrolment due to overcrowding.

I am aware that there is overcrowding in Powerstown national school. Measures to deal with the problem in the short term and in the long term are being considered and will be implemented as soon as possible.

I understand that the short-term measures being considered relate to a pre-fab or a chalet. In view of the large development occurring in the Powerstown parish, would the Minister consider meeting or having his officials meet a small deputation from the area to discuss whether it would be a short-term development or a long-term development?

It would probably be both. There must be long-term planning because of the development in the area but the short-term problem must be solved as well immediately.

Would the Minister consider meeting or having his officials meet a deputation to discuss the advisability of short-term planning having regard to the tremendous development in that area in the last number of years? I am interested in this because I am a parishioner of this parish.

A resident of Clonmel?

Yes, change of residence. Would the Minister or his officials meet a deputation to consider the overall development of the school? There is a short-term proposal at the moment to put up pre-fab type of buildings there. It seems to be a waste of money when there is a long-term proposal which can be done. There is co-operation within the parish to do it.

Both need to be done. First of all there must be a solution immediately to the short-term problem and then there can be planning for the long term. I will meet the deputation, or the Department will. We must gather information from the local authority and others concerned in the matter of getting the necessary accommodation and so forth.

I would emphasise that money is being spent at the moment which many people feel is a waste because of the long-term proposals. There are children in the parish at the moment, natives of the parish, who are being refused admission. I suggest the Minister would consider a meeting at which he could hear the views——

There will be somebody from my Department available at any time to discuss the matter with them.