214 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Carrowreagh national school, Bunninadden, County Sligo, has been listed by the INTO as seriously substandard; if so, the action, if any, she intends to take to ensure that a new central school is constructed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9208/97]

I am aware that Carrowreagh national school is currently housed in unsuitable accommodation and that the school hopes to amalgamate with a nearby school. For this reason I included the school in my Department's 1996 programme to plan a replacement building to house the amalgamated schools.

My Department's architectural staff have carried out an inspection of the proposed site for the project and are of the opinion that the site is unsuitable, subject to the results of ground tests. My Department will be in contact with the school manager shortly in relation to the appointment of a structural engineer to carry out these tests.

Planning of the new building will commence when a suitable site has been acquired.