Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to establish a developing areas unit in his Department to liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. [28687/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government commits my Department to establishing a Developing Areas Unit.

Initial work on establishing and assigning dedicated staff to the Unit began in the latter part of 2007 and it is now fully operational.

In terms of its work programme for 2008, the Developing Areas Unit is advancing the delivery of 26 new primary school buildings which are planned to be in place for September 2008. These projects are being delivered in areas which have been identified as areas of rapid population growth.

To deliver its 2008 programme, the Developing Areas Unit has been working closely with relevant Local Authorities on the acquisition of sites and on general pre-planning issues.

When taken with a number of other projects in developing areas involving extensions to existing schools, approximately 7,500 additional school places will be provided for September 2008.

In the meantime, the Forward Planning Section of my Department is identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be needed for 2009 and onwards. This is also being done in close consultation with local authorities.