andMr. E. Collins asked the Minister for Education the second level education schools in which gymnasia will be provided during the next 12 months.

Since I announced my intention of resuming the programme for the provision of physical education facilities in second-level schools I have received and continue to receive a considerable volume of applications for capital allocations for physical education halls. I have advised a number of schools that their applications have been acceded to and I expect it will be possible to provide the buildings within the next 12 to 15 months. I am considering a number of other applications, including a backlog which accumulated during the previous administration. I shall advise the schools concerned of my decisions as soon as possible.

How many schools have had their request acceded to?

Eleven.

Could the Minister answer the question in more detail. He was asked the second level education schools in which gymnasia will be provided. He only told the House the number. Would he kindly indicate which of the 11 are to get sports facilities?

At the moment I cannot give the Deputy that information. I shall write to him and give him a list of the schools.

Can the Minister say if the school in Cabinteely is on the list?

It is not because it did not come under the criteria we laid down for the provision of physical education halls.

Could the Minister make available to schools which are not on the list for sports halls a copy of the criteria by which those allocated sports halls have been allocated them?

I mentioned them in the House already. One is that, as there had been a considerable backlog, we thought it was advisable to provide physical education halls where the builders were still on the sites as this would help to reduce the cost. Size is another one.

Is the Minister saying that none of those 11 schools forms part of what he describes as the backlog figure?

No, I am not saying that. I am saying that a number of them where building was in progress had been told when the schools were planned that they would not have physical education halls. I have changed that decision and have decided that they will have physical education halls.