asked the Minister for Education (i) the initial and (ii) the long term plans for the National Institute for Higher Education at Ballymun Dublin with particular reference to the terms of status and faculties.

The National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, will admit its first students in October, 1980. Renovation and adaptation work on the existing Albert College building has recently commenced. The contract for the new commerce building in the same site is proceeding concurrently with the work on the existing building.

Legislation for the establishment of the institute on a statutory basis is in course of preparation.