Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the projects contained in the new national development plan that will be procured and commenced in 2007 in her Department; when they will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5793/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the large scale infrastructure projects which will be completed during the lifetime of the new national development plan within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5804/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.

The National Development Plan (2007-2013) is a strategic document setting out a broad investment framework and investment priorities, together with indicative financial allocations, for the next seven years. It does not contain a list of all projects to be undertaken in 2007 and/or over the period of the Plan, although certain Chapters, including those on Regional Development, Economic Infrastructure and Social Infrastructure, refer to projects scheduled for delivery or progression between now and the end of 2013.

Under the life time of the National Development Plan almost €4.5 billion will be invested in school buildings. This is made up of almost €4 billion of direct Exchequer voted capital together with €540m for projects being delivered through the public private partnership process. In addition, a sum of €70 million is being made available for investment in ICT in schools. This is an unprecedented level of capital investment in the schools sector which reflects the commitment of the Government to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post primary schools.

Initially, the main focus will be on the provision of the required extra 100,000 pupil places in primary schools. The first roll-out of these places will be in 2007 with over €300m being invested in large-scale school building projects concentrated mainly in the provision of school accommodation in rapidly developing areas. This level of funding will facilitate construction work on over 150 large-scale projects which will deliver over 15,000 additional permanent places in new schools and the extension and modernisation of facilities in existing schools for over 45,000 pupils. These projects are expected to be completed during 2007 and 2008.

The NDP investment will also allow other high priority projects to move through the design process and ultimately on to tender and construction. It will enable the purchase of sites to facilitate the smooth delivery of the school building programme again, with the focus being on site requirements in rapidly developing areas. The balance will be used to fund the other elements of the school building programme such the Summer Works Scheme, the Small Schools Scheme and the Permanent Accommodation Scheme etc. In total, over 1,500 projects will be delivered in 2007.