307 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding the proposed extension to the Ursuline College, St. Joseph's, Sligo; if she will ensure that the various processes are finalised in order to enable work to commence immediately in view of the fact that the college has now 776 students being accommodated in space normally allocated to 500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25210/96]

The project at the Ursuline College, Sligo is currently at Stage II, outline sketch scheme of architectural planning.

Numerous difficulties have arisen with the project since the initiation of the planning process. Officials from my Department's building unit have visited the school recently and met with the school authority to advise them of the Department's requirements, in order that the project may proceed smoothly.

Following that visit a revised Stage II submission has been received in the building unit but a number of issues still need to be resolved before approval can be given to proceed to the next stage of planning.

The question of proceeding to construction does not arise until the architectural planning process of the project has been successfully completed.

308 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) in County Cork, which has been approved under the breaking the cycle scheme, has made an application to her Department for an extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25259/96]

An application for an extension was received in my Department on 16 December last from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is currently being examined. A decision will be conveyed to the school management when this examination is completed.