asked the Minister for Education the plans her Department have for extending Mohober national school, County Tipperary; the plans for improving the facilities there as part of the school is in very bad repair and improvements are badly needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

My Department await a report sought from the Commissioners of Public Works on the question of what improvement works may be necessary at Mohober national school, County Tipperary. The chairman of the school's board of management will be advised without delay as to the outcome of the commissioners' report. There are no proposals under consideration to extend the school.

623.

asked the Minister for Education the reason she has refused to allow the appointment of a caretaker at the new national school in Cashel, County Tipperary; if she is aware that this appointment is essential as 650 pupils are accommodated in the school which has 21 rooms and it is essential to ensure that it will not be vandalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The Estimates for the Public Services 1983 provided for the phasing out of the scheme for the provision of caretakers in national schools through a policy of not creating any further posts and not filling vacancies as they occurred. The decision is of general application. In the circumstances it is not open to me to sanction the appointment of a caretaker for the school in Cashel.

624.

asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a new boys' national school in Ballybunion, County Kerry.

Satisfactory title to the site for the new boys' national school in Ballybunion, County Kerry, has been established and my Department recently sanctioned a grant for the project. The Commissioners for Public Works have been asked to put in hands arrangements for completion of the architectural planning of the project.

625.

asked the Minister for Education the number of national schools in the country over 100 years old.

Statistical information in the form requested by the Deputy has not been compiled in my Department and is not readily available from their records.

626.

asked the Minister for Education when work will commence on the proposed new national school at Roxboro, Ballysheedy, County Limerick.

It has recently been agreed by my Department that tenders should be invited for the erection of the proposed new school at Roxboro, Ballysheedy, County Limerick. It is not possible at this stage to say when work may commence on the project.

627.

asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made in relation to carrying out essential repairs to Crenkill national school, Gatabawn, County Kilkenny, via Thurles.

No application for repairs to Crenkill national school, Gatabawn, County Kilkenny, has been received in my Department. I am, however, requesting the Commissioners of Public Works to arrange for an inspection of the school in consultation with the chairman of the school's board of management.

628.

asked the Minister for Education when adequate toilet facilities and ancillary sanitary services will be provided for a national school (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The Commissioners of Public Works have been asked by my Department to furnish their recommendation on the improvements required at Tombrack national school, Ferns, County Wexford. The commissioners have been asked to expedite their report on this matter.