Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to his announcement on 29 September 2008 regarding new school projects, the number of those schools which were on his Department's list, having obtained tenders and which were waiting for his final approval before going to construction that were part of his announcement of the new school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33350/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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On 29th September this year I announced details of 25 major school building projects which are to proceed to tender and construction.

The school building projects which I announced will provide permanent primary school places for over 4,600 students in five new schools and 15 extended and modernised schools.

A further 3,600 students at post-primary level will benefit from one new school and four major extension and refurbishment projects.

This year, more than €586 million will be spent in the school building programme, with one-third of that invested in rapidly developing areas. This has resulted in the delivery of 12,000 new school places in 2008 — a record number in any one year. This is an unprecedented level of capital investment which reflects this Government's commitment to continuing the programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools.

Twelve of the projects which I announced on 29th September were on the list of projects which had already obtained tenders and which was supplied to the Deputy in May of this year.

It is my intention to make a further announcement in the first quarter of 2009 on major primary and post-primary school projects to proceed to construction.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1731 of 24 September 2008, the reason a school (details supplied) in County Clare has not been included in the recent announcement of school building projects; if the design tender process has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33352/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning and is currently awaiting the appointment of a Design Team.

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.