Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the first and second level schools in respect of which new schools or major refurbishment or extensions were approved in the period between 17 May 2001 and 16 May 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13807/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number in respect of approval for new schools or major refurbishment extensions in the period between 17 May 2001 and 16 May 2002 that have not yet commenced and have not yet been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13808/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 and 459 together.

The information is not readily available in the format sought by the Deputy for the period in question. I can assure the Deputy, however, that the Government has made a record investment of over €2.6 billion in the period from 2000 to 2006 in upgrading existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first and second-level. Over 7,800 projects were delivered in this period. In addition the investment covered site purchases; the minor works grant issued to all primary schools annually, dust/asbestos and radon remediation programmes, science and technology initiatives, contingency works and grants for the purchase of furniture and equipment. This year alone over 1,500 building projects will be delivered.

The capital budget for 2007, at over €540m for first and second level schools, is the first year of the rollout of the new NDP which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion in school buildings over the next 7 years. This multi-annual funding is proof of my continuing commitment to educational infrastructure and will enable my Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation.

I am also pleased that over recent years my Department has streamlined its processes for delivering projects with a particular emphasis placed on devolving the delivery of projects to local school management level. This enables a faster and more cost effective delivery of projects with minimum interaction with my Department.