Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn has confirmed 50 schemes new school building projects are set to begin construction in 2013 as part of a €2 billion investment by the government in capital schemes.

This will include 22 new primary schools and 13 second-level establishments, as well as 15 major extensions around the country.

Mr Quinn said: "We are facing massive increases in our school going population in the coming years. We have to ensure that every child growing up in Ireland can access a place in a classroom when they go to school."

It was noted 25,000 places will be created by the projects, as well as 3,400 direct and 680 indirect jobs.

The news was welcomed by the Irish National Teachers Organisation, with general secretary Sheila Nunan saying the new schools will help meet the urgent need for additional places.

However, she expressed concern that there are no provisions for repairs to existing buildings because of the large investment in new schemes.

Ms Nunan therefore called on the Department of Education to ring-fence 7.5 per cent of all future capital funding to ensure the maintenance of existing buildings.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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