62 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the current stage of planning of the Arva No. 1 National School project, County Cavan; when tenders will be invited in respect of this project; when construction work will commence; if funding will be provided for this project in 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12408/97]

The architectural planning for the Arva No. 1 school project is at an advanced stage and the contract documentation is currently being prepared.

At present, I am not in a position to indicate when funding will be available for the project. The Deputy will be aware that there were substantial cuts in the capital funding of national schools in the 1988-92 period which resulted in a backlog of projects. Progress is being made in reducing the backlog and I will allow the project to proceed to tender as soon as possible.