Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the ways in which he has brought greater transparency to the new schools building programme for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15320/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Since becoming Minister I have sought to bring greater transparency to the school building programme. As the Deputy will be aware, I announced last December details of 56 major school building projects to commence construction in 2012 representing the first phase of the five-year plan for major school building projects. The plan also detailed a further 60 projects that were already at construction stage in December which would also form part of the 2012 plan.

My announcement on 12th March last sets out details of further school building projects to be constructed within the lifetime of the 5 Year Plan. This is the first time that the Department of Education and Skills has published such a detailed five year plan for school buildings. It is also my intention that each December, a detailed plan in relation to planned expenditure on individual major school projects beginning construction in the following year will also be published. These changes will facilitate schools in planning to meet the educational needs of children in their area, and will provide for enhanced transparency in the operation of the school building programme.

These announcements represent major advances in how the school building programme is publicised, and will provide certainty to patrons and school communities concerning the major school building projects that we are in a position to progress. Those schools included in the five year plan now know when their project is likely to commence construction and they can now make plans based on these timelines. Details relating to all projects on the 5 Year Plan will be published on my Department's website and this information will be regularly updated. This will provide immediate access to schools and the school community to information concerning the progress of their school project on an ongoing basis.