asked the Minister for Education the action she proposes to take to solve the very serious overcrowding problem, that has arisen at post-primary schools at the Patrician Academy and Sisters of Mercy, Mallow, County Cork; and if she will make money available for provision of extra classrooms.

It has been agreed in principle to provide additional accommodation in the post-primary schools in Mallow. In the case of the Sisters of Mercy convent school, the examination of the outline sketch scheme is almost completed. When completed, the school authority will be asked to have the developed sketch scheme prepared.

With regard to the Patrician Academy, urgent on-going discussions are taking place with the new manager with a view to seeing how best the question of providing new accommodation can be resolved.

The question of the allocation of money for any school building project does not arise until the project is nearing the stage where it is ready to be put out to tender.