(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Education why the new prefabricated classroom promised for Tullyneela National School, County Cavan, has not yet been provided and why the additional teacher has not yet taken up duty in the school and if he will take action in the matter.

I sanctioned the provision of a prefabricated classroom in July 1978. At the time it was anticipated that it would be possible to use a secondhand classroom but this was not found possible. Accordingly in December last I authorised the provision of a new classroom.

The Office of Public Works have advised the chairman of the board of management as to the steps to be taken to obtain tenders and the necessary planning permission. It is not clear to me why appropriate steps in this regard were not taken by the board of management when sanction for the new classroom was given in December last.

An additional teacher will be appointed in due course.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that, even since he was asked to provide the additional teacher and the additional classroom, the number of pupils at this school has increased, that there is serious congestion there and that another teacher is badly needed?

I am fully aware of all the facts about this school. I cannot understand why the classroom has not been erected long ago. I have been in touch with the Office of Public Works. They have actually advised the chairman how to speed up the provision of a classroom and there will be no delay in the sanctioning of a teacher.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I ask the Minister to use his good officers as the overlord of education to get this classroom erected and get the teacher appointed? Could the Minister appoint the teacher in advance so that he or she would be ready to take up duty immediately the classroom is provided?

When the proposal comes from the board of management for the appointment of a teacher I will make the appointment without delay. I still cannot understand why the classroom has not been erected and already in action.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister agree with me that this has been dragging on for far too long?

It has been dragging on much too long and in fact I thought I had cleared it up last December.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am surprised that the Minister is not able to do something about it.

I have in fact on two occasions attempted to land a classroom at the school and if it takes me another 12 months I will still have to keep pushing to get something put on the table. However, I want to say that neither the Department of Education nor the Office of Public Works are at fault.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I suggest that the Minister should cut the red tape and deliver both a room and a teacher there forthwith.

The tape has been cut. It is long in ribbons.