Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will announce the next group of post-primary schools to proceed to design stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11151/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme in which the main focus is to deliver school places within rapidly developing areas. The progression of all school building projects will be considered in this context. I announced recently a list of schools which are due to go to construction in 2008. The next announcement regarding projects to proceed to construction will occur after Easter. I intend 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.

In addition 27 new schools are to be provided under my Department's Public Private Partnership Programme (PPP) 2006 to 2010. I have already announced the first two bundles of school projects comprising 4 schools in bundle 1 and 6 schools in Bundle 2. The first bundle, which consists of four post-primary, two in Co. Laois and two in Co. Offaly, is in procurement and will go to construction this year. The second bundle consisting of six schools, 5 post-primary and 1 primary school in counties Cork, Limerick, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow is in pre-procurement and will be offered to the market shortly. The make up of further school bundles in my Department's PPP school building programme will be determined on such issues as geographic spread and site availability for each school. I intend announcing further PPP project bundles during the year.