asked the Minister for Education if he will give an assurance that there are no further Dublin city school closures pending; if his Department have any form of early warning system in relation to school closures; and if any survey of other schools' intentions has been carried out.

I am not in a position to give such an assurance though I have no reason to anticipate such an occurrence. My Department are dependent in such circumstances on the co-operation of school authorities. A formal survey as suggested in the question from the Deputy would not in my opinion serve to achieve the purpose which he has in mind.

May I put it to the Minister as strongly as possible that what he has just said is totally unsatisfactory? Is he saying to the House that his Department are not sufficiently interested in the education of our children to get in touch with those schools, to survey what is the likelihood of there being stable educational institutions in the next period of time, years or generations, in order to help him to put together a policy for education for urban areas in the future? Is that not the height of common sense?

My Department has a policy for post-primary schools in Dublin city as of now and we will cope with any problems which may arise from circumstances that are now mentioned. I can assure the Deputy that in the particular area of this city which is north of the Liffey we have an expensive programme for development and we will be capable of dealing with all the pupils who are seeking post-primary places in that area. We are quite confident of that and I would like that confidence to go from this House to pupils, parents and teachers.

The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

Is it not the position that this afternoon the Minister is not aware of the fact that any school is closing down?

Question Time is over.

The Minister told us, I admit with very assertive self-confidence——

Absolute confidence.

Item No. 6.

The point is that I had to tell the Minister this afternoon that one of the schools in this city is closing down.

Will the Deputy resume his seat?

And we will replace all the places that are lost and another one on top of that if required. That is the strength of this confidence.

In the locality?

In the locality.

I will have to ask the Deputy to leave the House if he does not resume his seat.

These are the facts.

I must ask the Deputy to leave the House if he does not obey the Chair. Question Time is over.

Could I indicate that I am prepared to accept a written answer to Question No. 45?

Yes.