asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to commence construction of the proposed new school at Kilclooney, County Donegal.

The preparation of contract documents for the proposed new school at Kilclooney is nearing completion. It has been found necessary to engage the services of a structural engineer as site conditions are likely to cause construction problems.

This will mean some delay in completing the contract documents and in going to tender. It is too early to say as yet when building work will commence.

Is the Minister aware that this new school will replace two old schools at Kilclooney and Clogher? Is he further aware that the Clogher school is over 100 years old, that it is a school of which none of us can be proud, where there are two teachers, one classroom, one pre-fab which is rat-infested? Would the Minister have this report expedited and the work put to tender within coming weeks?

I can assure the Deputy that there will be no undue delay. But, as I have said in my reply because of the boggy nature of the site we have had to engage a structural engineer. However, there will be difficulties encountered and some delay but it is too early to say yet when building will commence.

When did the Minister's Department engage the structural engineer?

A site was offered in 1978 and planning permission was granted around that time. There was then a change and, on 30 July 1980, the Department of Education sanctioned the grant. But the planning permission for the revised scheme was received only in November 1981 so the Deputy will see that it has taken some time. But the preparation of contract documents is nearing completion. However, the site conditions have given rise to problems. I have not the date on which we engaged the services of the structural engineer but he has had to be engaged. I can assure the Deputy that everything will be completed as speedily as possible.

A final supplementary——

It must be a final, Deputy.

——which is important in so far as I am speaking about a rat-infested pre-fab is one of the oldest schools in County Donegal.

The Deputy has got that on the record.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the contract documents will be completed within the next few weeks and that he will ensure that the work will be put to tender within the next few weeks also?

There are problems — and I am not prepared to give an undertaking — but I can assure the Deputy that there will be no undue delay involved.

7.

asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the proposed extension to Derrybeg national school, County Donegal.

Tenders were invited in respect of this extension in September 1982, but the response was not satisfactory and it was found necessary to reinvite tenders in December 1982. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 1 February 1983 and the tenders received are now being examined.

When would the Minister hope that a contractor would be appointed?

The closing date for the receipt of tenders was 1 February last. Subject to receipt of a satisfactory tender we will be in a position to make a recommendation to the Department of Education with regard to the extension in question.

Is the Minister saying that he would hope that this work would commence early this year?

I did not quite catch the Deputy's question.

Is the Minister of State implying that the work may start in the middle of 1983?

The closing date for the receipt of tenders was 1 February 1983. Those tenders are being examined. Subject to the receipt of a satisfactory tender we will be in a position to ask the Department of Education to give us permission to go ahead.

8.

asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to commence the construction of the extension to Luinneagh national school, County Donegal.

The sketch plans in respect of the extension to Luinneagh National School, County Donegal, which have been prepared by the Manager's architect have recently been approved and sent to the Department of Education for consideration. The sanction of a grant by the Department is awaited before advanced planning can be authorised. It is too early to say when the building work will commence.