asked the Minister for Education the number of students which Carlow Regional College can properly accommodate; the number at present enrolled; and the plans he has for making adequate provision for these students in Carlow or elsewhere.

The number of students which can be properly accommodated in the college at any one time depends on the nature and mix of the courses being offered. Carlow Regional Technical College was opened in 1970 with accommodation for 660 students. The level of accommodation has since been extended to cater for 1,015 students. This level of accommodation relates to the agreed Schedule of Courses on offer in 1981 when the extension was completed.

The whole-time student enrolment figure for 1986-87 of 1,526 is on par with the enrolment for the previous academic year.

The question of additional accommodation for Carlow RTC is being considered in the context of an analysis of the overall accommodation requirements of the regional technical colleges in general which is being carried out by the Department at present.