asked the Minister for Education the initiatives he has taken in the school building programme since 15 November 1977, to cope with existing suburban pressures and to replace obsolete schools.
Written Answers . - School Building Programme .
177.
: As far as national schools are concerned, my Department have been geared to meet all demands both in relation to the provision of new schools and the replacement of school building no longer fit for use and are doing so.
There must, naturally, be a lapse of time between the initiation of a school building project and the completion of the new building but administrative and procedural delays have been reduced and will, where possible, be further reduced.
As regards second-level schools, the position is that since the date in question, contracts have been placed for the building of four new schools and the replacement of two obsolete schools; tenders have been sought in respect of seven further new schools and 13 replacement schools, and planning of 23 new schools and 61 replacement schools is proceeding.