asked the Minister for Education when the extension will be built to the regional technical college, Athlone, County Westmeath; if he is aware that there are 14 pupils at present in rooms eight feet by eight feet; and if he considers that with the extension the college will be large enough to cater for pupils in four years time.
Written Answers. - Athlone Regional Technical College.
318.
The extension to Athlone regional technical college was completed in October 1980. A scheme of adaptation of the original building which was undertaken in connection with the new facilities being provided is due for completion by the end of the month.
I understand that there was some slight dislocation of classes for a brief period prior to their moving into the new extension in mid-October 1980, even though the accommodation provided under the project was more than adequate for the numbers attending.
As indicated in the White Paper on Educational Development, it is intended to set up a formal mechanism to review the operations of all the regional colleges in the light of the purposes for which they were founded, and to advise on the direction of future development. The question of the future needs of the college will be kept under review in this context.