asked the Minister for Education when a new national school will be built at Duncannon, County Wexford; the reason for the inordinate delay, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

My Department recently sanctioned a supplemental grant for the new national school at Duncannon, County Wexford, to bring the overall grant into line with increases in the estimated costs of the project. I understand that meanwhile the Commissioners of Public Works had authorised the school authorities to seek planning permission and have been concerned at the stringency of the conditions under which permission has now been given. The commissioners are currently in touch with the school authorities about the matter. I am therefore unable to say at this stage when the new school will be built but I hope that the difficulties which have arisen in relation to planning permission can be speedily resolved.

A Cheann Comhairle, I should inform you that Deputy Byrne requested me to ask a question in his absence.

That is not necessary.

Does the Minister agree that the condition in these prefabs is worse than a settlement you would find on the side of the road anywhere? Does he agree that it is incumbent on his Department to use all the influence at their disposal to expedite the building of a new school?

I am not aware of the condition of the prefabs and I am not aware of the number of the prefabs. I am aware that the matter is urgent. Lengthy delays have occurred in relation to the projections for the future educational needs of the area. The first site to be acquired was found to be unsuitable. A second site was then presented to the Department and agreed on. There is a question about the title and there is a question about planning. These matters could be resolved locally. Stringent conditions are attached to the planning permission and the Office of Public Works have advised that it is necessary to give further consideration to those conditions. Many of the problems are local.