asked the Minister for Education when tenders will be sought for a major extension to Ballaghaderreen vocational school, County Roscommon; the projected cost of the project; and if she will give details of the proposed accommodation.

A developed sketch scheme for a major extension to Ballaghaderreen vocational school, County Roscommon, is awaited from the Vocational Education Committee. At this early stage of planning, it is not possible to say when tenders will be invited for the project.

The proposed extension will provide for nine general classrooms, a wood-work/building construction and mechanical drawing rooms, a general purpose/physical education area, office and ancillary accommodation.

It would not be appropriate to state the estimated cost of a specific project in advance of the receipt of tenders.

Could the Minister inform me if he will include this school in the capital programme for 1983?

I could not give a categorical assurance to the Deputy at this stage but hope it would be the case.

29.

asked the Minister for Education when work will commence on the extension to Four Roads national school, County Roscommon; the proposed cost of the scheme; the local contribution; and if she will give details of accommodation.

A grant has been sanctioned towards the cost of the proposed extension to Four Roads national school, Four Roads, County Roscommon. The extension will consist of a general purposes room and there is provision in the plans for a further classroom, should the need arise. It is not in accordance with normal practice to disclose details of the local contribution.

It is understood from the Commissioners of Public Works that working drawings are being prepared at present. It is not possible at this stage to state when building work may commence. It would not be appropriate to state the estimated cost of a specific project in advance of the receipt of tenders.

Would the Minister confirm that the reduced capital programme for 1983 will not affect the allocation to this school which was approved and allocated for by the previous Fíanna Fáil administration?

I could not give any assurance of that sort to the Deputy.

Could I request that the Minister review that reply? When in Government, we allocated the funds for this special project.

That is not correct.

We approved this scheme.

A question, please.

We included it in the capital programme. In view of the serious situation in that school, I am asking the Minister to include it in the capital programme for 1983.

If I am in order, could I ask the Deputy what year's capital programme?

The Minister may not ask the Deputy, he may tell him.

Of what year's capital programme is the Deputy speaking — 1982 or 1983?

For the information of the Minister, if we were in Government we would be preparing a scheme——

The Deputy said that it was included in the Government's programme.

I allocated £20 million and the Minister's Government have spent only £23,000.

Order, please.

The Deputy's question is not clear to me. He is asking for an assurance that this school will be included in the 1983 capital programme. I cannot give him that assurance. It is possible that I may not be able to do so. The Deputy has said that it was included in his Government's capital programme and I ask with respect, of what year he is speaking?

Adequate funds were included in 1983 to cover this school.

That answers the question.

Very well.

30.

asked the Minister for Education when work will commence on a new central national school at Carnalisson, Four-Mile-House. County Roscommon; the cost of the project; and if she will give details of accommodation.

Sketch plans for the proposed new national school at Four-Mile-House, County Roscommon, which will comprise four classrooms, a general purposes room, and ancillary accommodation, have been approved by my Department. A grant towards the cost will be sanctioned when agreement has been reached concerning the local contribution.

It would not be appropriate to state the estimated cost of a specific project before tenders have been invited.

It is not possible to state at this stage when building work may commence.

Would the Minister inform the House of when the terms were submitted and approved by the Board of Works?

I am sorry that I have not that information. The only thing I can say is that a grant will be sanctioned towards the cost of the scheme when the local contribution is settled with the chairman. I have not the information requested in the Deputy's question, but I can communicate with him and let him have it if necessary.

Will the Minister include adequate funds in the Public Capital Programme for 1983 to provide this new central school very badly needed in my constituency?

As I said in reply to previous supplementaries, I cannot give the Deputy that assurance.