asked the Minister for Education if he will enunciate the Government's policy on the type, size and management structure of proposed post-primary schools.

Proposals for new post-primary schools reaching my Department generally relate to growing urban areas. Those schools should cater for pupils in the areas in which they are located. They should provide an adequate curriculum, including practical and academic subjects up to leaving certificate level, and should also make provision for adult education. Proposals in recent years have been for the establishment of either community schools or vocational schools. The board of management in the case of community schools to date has six members consisting of two nominees of religious orders, two nominees of the local vocational education committee and two representatives of parents of children of the school. In the case of a vocational school the vocational education committee may appoint a sub-committee constituted in accordance with section 21 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, to act as a board of management of such schools.

It is considered that, except in very exceptional circumstances, 1,000 pupils is the maximum for which accommodation should be provided in a single school and that in general the upper limit should be 800 pupils. It is also felt that a minimum number of 400-500 pupils should normally be required to warrant the establishment of a single community type school in an area.

In relation to the minimum figure, does the reply indicate that this only relates to the development of new schools and does not colour the Minister's actions in relation to existing schools?

If it refers to new schools I presume it is accepted as an ideal figure for a normal viable unit. I do not think that if an existing school drops below that figure, ipso facto it should be extinguished.

Is it the Government's policy to ensure that schools which exist regardless of the upper or lower limits should be encouraged to continue to exist and that the Department's policy is specifically in relation with the development of new schools?