asked the Minister for Education the projected cost to the Exchequer of declaring the north inner-city of Dublin an educational priority area; and if it is proposed to designate the south inner-city of Dublin an educational priority area.

The positive discrimination to be made in respect of schools in disadvantaged areas is an on-going process and the implementation of these measures must of necessity take place over a period of time, having regard to the varying needs.

In these circumstances it would not be realistic at this time to give an estimated global cost of the various measures to be undertaken in the north inner-city of Dublin, or in any other area, such as the south inner-city of Dublin, which may require special attention due to reasons of disadvantage.

Question No. 239 postponed.