asked the Minister for Education the plans he has to provide further accommodation for the girls' secondary school at the Convent of Mercy, Naas, County Kildare.

I have sanctioned the extension of the Convent of Mercy secondary school, Naas, to provide 500 pupils' places. The sketch scheme has recently been approved and I hope that the remaining planning processes will be completed so that the project can go to tender in the current financial year.

I am sure the Minister is aware of the urgency of this problem in Naas. In view of this urgency I would ask the Minister how soon building will commence. I do not mean to be awkward but I would ask him to give some indication.

I appreciate the Deputy's concern and I am sure he will appreciate my industry. I read that file from start to finish and it was like reading War and Peace. The answer to the question is contained in the official answer and we hope the project can go to tender during the current financial year. The Deputy can go back to the nuns and tell them that.

I was wondering why the Minister read the file right through to the end.

I spend a lot of time reading files and they are not the most exciting literature.