asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, his Department has for new second-level schools in the Dublin north-central area.

A new senior cycle second-level school for 600 pupils (boys and girls) is at present under construction in Ballymun. This school is scheduled to open in September, 1977.

My Department have also sanctioned the erection of a further school, under the management of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, to replace the existing vocational school in Parnell Square and Great Denmark Street.

In addition, the needs of the developing areas of South Finglas and Ballymun/Poppintree are under consideration in regard to their future needs. Pending the outcome of these investigations, sites for second-level schools have been provisionally reserved in these areas.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary state at what stage is the planning for the vocational school he mentioned in his reply?

Which one is this?

The vocational school he mentioned—600 in Ballymun and a vocational school as well.

I mentioned the replacement for Parnell Square and Great Denmark Street and other areas as well.

The second one mentioned.

The building unit have given the vocational education committee approval to negotiate for a site near Broadstone. The unit have doubts as to the suitability of the site for an 800-place school which replaces both schools in Parnell Square and Great Denmark Street, one being a boys and the other a girls currently being examined.

In view of the doubt about the suitability of the site, what year does the Parliamentary Secretary think this school may be available?

It would be quite impossible to say that because one has got to see the end to those discussions in relation to the site before one can go any further. I cannot say how long it will take to solve that problem.