Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which his Department’s budget for 2016 for the major school building projects list was allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25902/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In January 2016, my Department had a capital allocation for the school sector of €427 million.

The priority within the allocation is for the provision of permanent school places and these are provided through the delivery of Large Scale Projects and the Additional Accommodation Programme.

Over 85% of the 2016 allocation has been assigned to Large Scale Projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The remaining funds in the allocation for 2016 are accounted for under other provisions including Summer Works, Emergency Works and Site Acquisitions.

On January 1st 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year a total of 50 more major projects have been progressed to construction or are currently authorised to complete the tender process with a view to starting on site before the end of this year. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016.