asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an urgent need for a new school at Muff, Laragh, Kingscourt, County Cavan and that the local community have entered into costly commitments; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that tenders have been received a considerable time ago following sanction by her Department; when tender will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The Deputy is understood to refer to the school officially known as Laragh No. 2 national school, Kingscourt, County Cavan. My Department is prepared in principle to grant-aid the replacement of the existing unsatisfactory accommodation at this school and tenders had been invited for a proposed three classroom new building. Because, however, of the pressure on the capital funds available to my Department for the national schools building programme, I am not at present in a position to authorise the placing of a contract for the project, nor am I in a position at this stage to say when the necessary authorisation may issue.