asked the Minister for Education the pupil/teacher ratio in Drogheda vocational school, County Louth; and the expected ratio for the coming year.

4.

asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils in each class this year and the expected number of each class for the beginning of the new year in September in Drogheda vocational school, County Louth.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, it is proposed to take Question Nos. 3 and 4 together. The number of pupils in the school-year 1976-7 and projected for 1977-8 in junior cycle, senior cycle, and secretarial course classes are given in the form of a tabular statement which with the further permission of the Ceann Comhairle, it is proposed to circulate with the Official Report. The over-all pupil/teacher ratio for these classes in 1976-7 is 17.5:1. It is anticipated that a similar ratio will apply in 1977-8.

Following is the statement:

School Enrolments Drogheda Vocational School.

The number of pupils may increase but is there extra accommodation and will there be sufficient staff for the extra pupils?

The teacher/pupil ratio will be the same.

How does this compare with other schools?

Last week the Deputy asked me a question and I was surprised to learn he did not know there is only one school, the Drogheda vocational school, involved.

My concern is that the pupils, because of classrooms——

The Deputy did not ask me about classrooms.

I am asking now will there be sufficient classroom accommodation for the extra pupils in September?

If the Deputy cares to put down a question I will have the answer for him.

The Minister said the teacher/pupil ratio will be the same but in view of the extra pupils——

The Deputy is asking a separate question.