asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the death in tragic circumstances of a young girl and her child in County Longford, he will ensure that adequate counselling and welfare services are made available to second level schools to ensure that such events are not repeated.

I would first like to express the deepest sympathy of myself and my colleagues in Government with Ann Lovett's family in regard to this tragic affair.

Officials of my Department and of the Department of Education have already initiated discussions on the extent to which existing counselling and social services for pupils of second-level schools might be improved in order to reduce the risks of this type of tragedy occurring again.

I should like to associate myself with the initial remarks of the Minister. Can he indicate to us if it is intended to make available information on ante-natal services to second level schools and the way he proposes that that be done?

All of these considerations are currently being studied by the Minister for Education and myself and between officials of the Department of Health and of the Department of Education. As soon as possible the Minister for Education and myself will make a statement on the matter.