New school projects to create 19,600 places

More than 40 new school building projects will begin this year, creating more than 19,600 places in schools around Ireland, it was announced today.

Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe this morning unveiled the 43 projects, which will go to tender and construction this year. They include new buildings, and refurbishments and extensions to existing schools.

Building is expected to start on most of the projects by the end of the year.

Under the scheme, 9,800 permanent primary school places will be provided in 21 new schools and seven extended and refurbished schools, while eight new schools at post-primary level will provide places for 5,600 students, and seven existings schools will benefit from extension and refurbishment projects.

The programme includes new schools for Dublin, Cavan, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly, Mayo, Westmeath, Waterford, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Donegal, and Cork.

Mr O'Keeffe said the projects represented a "significant amount of new business" for the construction industry, particularly at a time of "severe contraction" in the sector.

"Our increased spend this year demonstrates the Government's desire to continue investing in the productive capacity of the economy, to create construction jobs and to provide schoolchildren and teachers with the best educational environment in which to learn and work," he said.

He said five of the projects were being re-tendered under the new contracts for public capital projects.

In total, €656 million is set to be invested in school building this year.

Mr O'Keeffe also revealed details of 25 school building projects that are deemed high priority,and are set to enter the start architectural planning stage.

"These projects have been selected to start architectural planning now because they'll provide a significant number of extra school places in areas where demographic demand is great," he said.