asked the Minister for Education the percentage of local contributions required for all schools, built in Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan since 5 July 1977 to the latest available date.

: It is a long standing practice not to disclose the amount of the local contribution in the case of individual national schools. The arrangements made are regarded as confidential between the Department of Education and the school authorities concerned. The percentage of cost for secondary school building provided from local sources is a fixed 20 per cent.

: I thank the Minister for that information about the secondary schools but I am anxious to find out about the primary schools. Could he give that information for the county without establishing the schools? Would he be prepared to give even the average amount for the counties I mentioned?

: The Deputy mentioned four counties and my own county happened to be honoured——

: Has it not been sufficiently honoured already?

: Partly.

: I thought the Minister had two counties.

: The Deputy gave me two but I might divest myself of one.

: Will he?

: Details of the financial arrangements are not and have not been revealed. Sin mar a bhí ó thús, mar atá agus mar a bhéas.

: That is all right, but the Minister surely is aware that it is a bit unfair that the relatively wealthy area for some extraordinary reason should be able to get off with a small contribution when a relatively poor area is being asked to pay more than they can afford. Possibly the Minister and his predecessors have inherited this over the years, but something has to be done about it.

: As the Deputy has expressed concern for the poorer areas, I am very pleased he is taking an interest in my constituency.