Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin, I am glad to be given the opportunity to outline the position on the schools building and modernisation programme.

This year, more than €586 million is being provided by the Government for school buildings. This will allow significant progress to be made on new schools, extensions and refurbishments throughout the country. Commitments arising from contractual commitments entered into during 2007 and in earlier years have a first call on the capital allocation for 2008. These commitments include 67 large-scale projects that were under construction during 2007 and most of these will reach practical completion during the course of 2008. More than 100 permanent accommodation and small school scheme projects commenced during 2007 and all these projects will be completed in 2008. Commitments also arise on other programmes that commenced during 2007. These include commitments given in respect of contingency and emergency works, furniture and equipment applications and outstanding balances due on the 2007 summer works scheme.

At the beginning of February, the Minister announced the large-scale building projects approved to commence construction this year. These projects will deliver 13 new schools and two extensions at primary level, two new schools and one extension at post-primary level and a further 30 new primary schools in rapidly developing areas, planned to be in place by next September. These schools are the first phase of the projects that are due to go to construction in 2008. The next announcement regarding projects to proceed to construction will occur after Easter. The Minister intends to make further announcements regarding projects that will be advanced through the architectural planning process during the course of the year as the school building programme is rolled out.

The Minister also confirmed in the February announcement that the 254 projects previously announced under the permanent accommodation and small schools schemes that had not at that time commenced construction, should position themselves to go on site and complete their works during the course of 2008. Throughout the year the Department will also fund a number of other important elements of the schools building and modernisation programme. These include applications received from schools relating to emergencies that arise such as roof damage and applications for temporary accommodation.

Rather than publishing one large list, the Department of Education and Science manages the schools building programme on a rolling basis, with announcements made throughout the year. The number of projects on the programme and their place on it changes constantly. It would, therefore, not be appropriate to publish one large list. The approach adopted by the Department, with progress being made all the time, is far preferable to one big bang announcement as it ensures that it helps to create a pipeline so that there is a smooth flow of projects through all stages.

I assure the Senator that the Minister and her Department are committed to providing sufficient school places in developing areas and to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. Under the rolling basis methodology, the Minister will announce further details during the year in the context of priority and budget.