asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction grants for the repair of Lahinch and Connolly national schools, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

117.

asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding an application for repairs to Connolly national school, County Clare.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 117 together. A grant has recently been sanctioned by my Department towards the cost of carrying out improvement works to the prefabricated classroom at Lahinch national school, County Clare, pending the provision of a permanent extension. My Department's professional advisers have been asked to get in contact with the school chairman and to arrange with him to have the works satisfactorily carried out.

Meanwhile, my Department are in the course of preparing a sketch scheme for the proposed extension and this will be submitted for the school authority's consideration as soon as possible.

With regard to the Connolly national school, County Clare, my Department's professional advisers have completed an examination of a site proposed by the school for the purpose of extending the existing building and their report is expected to be submitted in the near future. In that context, they will be examining the possibility of grant aid towards the improvement of the existing accommodation, pending the provision of a permanent extension. I would point out that responsibility for repairs as such to school buildings is a matter for the boards of management.

Will the Minister give an indication of the amount of the grant sanctioned for Lahinch and when can the work get under way?

My Department's professional advisers have been asked to get in contact with the school chairman and to arrange with him to have the repair works carried out. A sketch scheme for the proposed extension is being prepared and this will be submitted for consideration as soon as possible.

The Minister said he proposed to give an advance for repairs to the prefabricated classroom.

Yes, a grant has been sanctioned for repairs to the prefabricated building.

How much?

That information is not normally given because it is a matter of confidence between the Department and the chairman of the board of management.

In relation to the Connolly national school can the Minister give me any indication of when it is likely that approval will be given for a permanent extension as distinct from the immediate repairs which are a separate issue?

I should first like to receive the report with regard to the examination of the site which was proposed by the school for the purpose of extending the building and having a permanent extension there. I really cannot give the Deputy a specific date until such time as that report has been received and a decision taken on it.

Is the Minister prepared to meet a deputation from the Connolly national school to discuss the matter as it is now fairly serious?

I will consider that and communicate with the Deputy.