asked the Minister for Education where the 2,000 extra places in higher education which were referred to in his reply to parliamentary Question No. 5 of 26 February 1981 will be provided.

The extra places are being provided by way of extensions to the Regional Technical Colleges at Carlow, Athlone, Letterkenny, of the new building for the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin and of additional accommodation through smaller capital works at a number of the existing third level education institutions for the purpose of the educational manpower programme. The additional places will be available by the end of 1981.