Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools listed by primary and post-primary that are currently being dealt with by the building unit, the numbers at the various stages of development, and the number of these projects that have been included in the recently announced five year school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18447/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the number of applications for major school capital works with my Department is in excess of 1,000 at both primary and post primary levels. The current position of such projects may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie, which is updated regularly. Projects are grouped into various categories including projects at application stage, in architectural planning and at tender and construction stage. The Five Year Plan, which may also be accessed on my Department's website, prioritises new school building projects, as well as major extensions in areas where a demographic need has been established. In view of the funding constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding to meet additional demographic requirements, it is not possible to progress all projects within my Department's building programme concurrently. Accordingly, it was necessary to prioritise school building projects referred to above for purposes of the Plan. As set out in the Plan, 219 major school building projects will proceed to construction over the lifetime of the Plan as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme. These projects are in addition to the 56 major school building projects already announced to proceed to construction during 2012.