asked the Minister for Education if he will indicate a timescale for the phased development of the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick; and if he will give details of the development plan to be commenced in 1981.

17.

asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need for additional accommodation at NIHE, Limerick; and, if so, when work on the provision of the additional accommodation will commence.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.

The development plan for the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick is being implemented on a stage basis to meet requirements. The next phase of development is currently being planned on the basis of an initial piling contract being placed in 1981.

May I take it, then, that the stage of development which has been approved by the HEA will not now commence to be built in 1981, on the basis of what the Minister has said?

The preliminary work is the piling contract. My notes say that the initial piling contract will be placed and paid for in 1981.

Is the Minister aware of the continuing grave situation in relation to accomodation at the institute and that development will now be curtailed in 1981?

I do not accept that.