Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the priority projects for capital investment identified in table 7.2 of the report of Review and Prioritisation of Capital Projects in the Higher Education Sector which have not been approved by her; the criteria used by her to decide which projects should not yet be approved; when she proposes to give approval for any proposals which have not received her approval; the progress to date of each project approved by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38974/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Review and Prioritisation of Capital Projects in the Higher Education Sector (the Kelly Report) recommended a ten year expenditure programme. The Report recommended capital support for a total of 93 individual projects at a cost to the Exchequer of €933m in 2003 prices.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that as a result of having achieved a multi-annual capital envelope of €900m for the sector to 2010, I have already approved a total of 48 individually recommended projects. The projects concerned are high priority projects in a range of disciplines including health therapies, teacher training, engineering, IT, multi media and catering and hospitality. A further 5 projects are expected to be progressed independently of direct Exchequer support. Accordingly, by 2010, it is expected that close to 60% of all recommended Kelly projects will be either delivered or close to delivery.

As I stated earlier, the Kelly Report is predicated around a ten year expenditure programme. Accordingly, remaining projects will be considered in the context of budgetary allocations. In general, progress on projects already approved is satisfactory with some on site, others in advanced architectural planning and some at preliminary planning.