asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the proposed extension to Dunmore East primary school for girls, County Waterford.

As stated in the official letter of 22 October 1982 to the Deputy, it is proposed to replace the existing national school for girls at Dunmore East, County Waterford, and the Commissioners of Public Works have been asked to inspect a site which was recently offered by the chairman of the board of management.

21.

asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding a major extension to Fenor national school, County Waterford.

It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that final planning permission for the proposed extension to Fenor national school has not yet been granted by the local authority. The commissioners are in communication with the local authority and it is hoped that the matter will be resolved shortly.

22.

asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding an extension to Ballyduff national school, Kilmeaden, County Waterford.

I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that sketch plans for an extension of one additional classroom at Ballyduff national school, County Waterford, are being prepared. The possible need for a second additional classroom is being investigated in my Department at present and an inspector's report in the matter is awaited.

23.

asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to start work on a major extension to Glenbeg national school, Dungarvan, County Waterford.

Sketch plans prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works for the proposed extension to Glenbeg national school, County Waterford, are being examined in my Department at present. At this early stage of planning it is not possible to state when building work may commence.

Will the Minister of State say how long the sketch plans have been with the Department?

I do not have that information.

I ask the Minister of State to check the records. The plans have been in the Department for many months and there is great urgency with regard to this matter. Perhaps the Minister of State will look into the matter?

I will.

24.

asked the Minister for Education the latest position regarding the proposed replacement of the national school at Aglish, Cappoquin, County Waterford, with a more permanent structure.

Sketch plans for the proposed new school at Aglish, Cappoquin, County Waterford were approved on 16 September last and the chairman was so informed. It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that working drawings are now being prepared and when completed they will be forwarded to the school authorities so that they can apply for planning permission. It will also be necessary for the school authorities to submit satisfactory evidence of title to the site; a grant cannot be sanctioned until satisfactory title has been established.

25.

asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to commence work on a permanent extension to Ballinameela national school, Cappagh, County Waterford.

A site extension is required to accommodate the proposed extension to Whitechurch national school, Ballinameela, County Waterford, for which sketch plans have been prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works. It will not be possible to sanction a grant towards the cost of the scheme until the site extension has been acquired and satisfactory title has been established. In the circumstances it is not possible to state when building work may commence.

Will the Minister of State tell the House if plans are being drawn up by the Department?

Yes, plans are being drawn up. However, a site extension is required and we are awaiting that at the moment.

(Limerick East): Arising out of the replies to the last four or five questions——

The Deputy must confine his supplementary to the question we are dealing with now.

(Limerick East): Will the Minister of State confirm that it is now Departmental policy to delay work on school building so that funds may be saved by the Department?

I am very glad to reply to the Deputy. The Office of Public Works wrote to the reverend chairman on 3 February 1982 giving details of the land he should acquire. To date there has not been a reply to that letter.

26.

asked the Minister for Education the plans his Department has for the replacement of the existing classrooms at the Church of Ireland school at Lismore, County Waterford.

A report on the existing accommodation at the Lismore Church of Ireland national school is awaited from the Commissioners of Public Works. The question of how best to provide satisfactory accommodation will be considered on receipt of the commissioners' report and recommendations.

Will the Minister of State tell the House for how long has the report been awaited and also state when it was sought?

Following receipt of the inspector's report, the commissioners were asked to report on 26 August 1982.

27.

asked the Minister for Education the plans his Department have for the repair or replacement of Clashmore national school, County Waterford; and when work is expected to commence.

I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that tenders for a major scheme of window replacement at Clashmore national school, County Waterford, will be invited very shortly. The commissioners are handling the arrangenents for carrying out the scheme.

As stated in the official letter of 19 October 1982 to the Deputy, the matter of the future permanent accommodation requirements at this school is to be investigated by the Department's inspector.

Will the Minister of State have this case re-examined to see if a new school is the answer rather than carrying out extensive repairs? There is a feeling locally that repairs will not suffice. I ask the Minister to look into the matter.

Certainly I will.

Will the Minister of State confirm that extensions to schools are not being deliberately delayed and that they are not included in the saving of £7,500,000 by the Department of Education?

I object to the Deputy saying that they are being delayed deliberately. As I proved to Deputy Noonan on a previous question, the delay was not in the Department of Education.