asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the deplorable conditions including overcrowding, bad building and general unsuitability, obtaining at the secondary school, Strokestown, County Roscommon, and in view of the urgency of providing a new extension if he will make a statement on the present position.

Tender documentation for the new extension at the secondary school, Strokestown, is at present being examined in my Department. Pending completion of this examination, it is not possible to state when approval for the placing of a contract for the building may be conveyed to the school manager. Examination of the tender documentation will be expedited as much as possible.

Is the Minister aware that his Department gave a firm commitment to the school authorities in 1957 that their requirements would be met? Would he now agree that the Department have not honoured their commitment to date? Will he make arrangements to have phase 2 of this building expedited?

The Deputy is correct in saying that this is going on for a long time—from 1968. The planning was under way in December 1976. The documentation is in, and I can assure the Deputy that there will be no undue delay in getting the extension under way.

Could the Minister state exactly how long it will take? Will it take two months, three months or two years?

I could not give any fixed time. I had a meeting with Sister Stephanie in Carrick-on-Shannon last Sunday and I intend to push the matter ahead as quickly as possible.

Could the Minister give us any indication of the starting date for the building?

No.

That is not much progress.

He who runs may read.

The Minister is doing a lot of running.

And an awful lot of work.

Questions Nos. 24, 25, 26 and 28 for written reply.

Question No. 27 postponed.