Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on expanding the public private partnership model for the provision of primary school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22643/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Schools Public Private Partnership Programme of 4 primary and 23 post primary schools was announced in September 2005. These projects are now progressing through procurement with the 1st Bundle of 4 post primary schools likely to commence construction during 2008. The 2nd Bundle of 6 schools which includes Gaelscoil Bheanntrai, a primary school, was advertised in the European Journal recently. Work is continuing on identifying the 3rd and 4th bundles of School Projects. A number of schools are being considered for inclusion in these bundles. On the Third Level programme 17 projects in 9 institutions were announced in November 2005 and I intend that the first bundle of these will be offered to the market this year.

Generally primary schools are not suitable for the PPP model other than in cases where they can be part of a campus development with a Post Primary School or as part of a larger development as is the case with the inclusion of a primary school on the Grangegorman site. My Department has developed more suitable innovations in the delivery of primary school buildings such as Generic Repeat Designs, use of the Design and Build model and off site construction to ensure that new school buildings are delivered in the fastest time-frame possible. My Department will continue to use the PPP model as appropriate in order to supplement the programme of school construction under the traditional route.