In the context of the improved teacher-pupil ratio, as we have 10,000 fewer pupils starting national school this year, has the Minister any plans to make provision for emotionally disturbed children, who are different from remedial pupils and are causing a great many problems in our schools?

The Deputy has raised a very relevant issue. Apart from the allocation of extra teachers to what are termed disadvantaged schools and extra remedial teachers there remains the need to meet the problems of the children about whom the Deputy speaks. I have given the go-ahead to the pilot project for the primary school psychological service. This need should have been addressed many years ago. Be that as it may, we are making a start now. The psychological society have advised that what they would like to see is two pilot projects running for three years, with proper monitoring and evaluation. We would hope at the end of that stage gradually to extend the service. The areas chosen for the pilot project are west County Dublin, embracing a large area, and also a rural-urban area further down the country.

Somewhere in the midlands?

It is not the midlands, Deputy Bruton, for all your smartness. I wish it was, but it is not.