asked the Minister for Education (a) the cost of the proposed extension to Ranafast national school, County Donegal; and (b) the amount of the grant which has been allocated.

24.

asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to commence the extension to Ranafast national school, County Donegal.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together. With regard to the cost of the proposed-extension to Ranafast national school, County Donegal, it would not be appropriate to disclose the estimated cost of the project in advance of the receipt of tenders.

A grant has not yet been sanctioned towards the cost of the proposed extension as agreement has yet to be reached with the chariman regarding the local contribution to be provided.

It is not possible at this stage to say when work on the extension may commence.

Could the Minister of State say, in respect of Ranafast national school, whether he or the Minister would consider a 100 per cent grant towards the extension and repair of this school? It may well be that I am preempting their decision to make a 100 per cent grant, but in view of the fact that it is one of the few all-Irish schools, if a 100 per cent grant is not being considered, would the Minister of State seriously reconsider this? The cost may well be £200,000 for a small and, with respect to the area, remote area with very few people employed, who would not be in a position to contribute very much.

The Deputy is making a submission.

I thank the Chair for the time afforded to me. Will the Minister of State give serious consideration to a 100 per cent grant because, if the people have to contribute anything worth while, we will not be in a position to start work? If contributions have to be made——

The Deputy is repeating a submission.

——would he allow us to contribute on a phased basis of 25 per cent at the beginning and three subsequent 25 per cent contributions?

As the Deputy is well aware, I am not at this stage in a position to give the amount of the grant and the percentage of the total estimated cost involved. It would not be in accordance with procedure. If the Deputy has information to put before me, I will certainly consider it. He will understand that I cannot give any indication at this stage as to what the grant would be.

Is the Minister aware that Rann na Feirste is a very famous cultural centre in an area of very little natural wealth? Is he also aware that it has been used as the headquarters for Ceoltas Uladh and is the birthplace of Séamus Ó Grianna, Seosamh Mac Grianna, Fionn MacCuail — a bevy of authors in Irish? The people themselves are the repository of a rich Irish culture, their maoin an tsaoil is very light and he should give serious consideration to Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher's proposal?

I am not aware that there is any precedent in the Department for basing a grant on the claim made by the Deputy.

There are a number of places.

Deputy Gallagher has put the case to me. I have no objection to considering it, but as Deputy Wilson is well aware it is not at this stage possible to give an indication of what the grant will be.

The Chair knows that what I said is the truth.

The Chair was in Ranafast for a month and is now very sorry that he did not spend several months there. A final supplementary, Deputy Gallagher, please.

As the Minister is kind enough to take my proposal and that of Deputy Wilson, into consideration, would he give me the opportunity in the next few days of speaking with him and trying to expand on my proposal?

Would the Deputy please repeat the question?

Would the Minister of State give me an opportunity of speaking with him over the next few days regarding the matter, before a decision is made?

My office is always open to anybody. I would be delighted to see the Deputy there any day.

Does he mean in his position of Minister of State?

Yes.

I thank the Minister.

25.