Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has published details of the Government's €614m school building plan on the Department's website.

He said the move will allow the progress of projects to be tracked through all stages in the programme.

Minister O'Keeffe said publishing the details online will significantly improve access to information on the school building programme.

"The website information gives an overview of this year's school building programme including all projects approved to progress towards tender and construction and those moving through architectural planning," he said.

"I've publicly signalled my intention to publish this information online and I'm delighted to make good on that pledge today.

"It'll improve transparency in the way the school building programme operates by clearly showing the status of each project as it moves through the process," said Minister O'Keeffe.

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The website will show 33 major school projects on site and five recently completed; 65 projects moving towards tender and construction; 170 projects in architectural planning; Over 1,100 applications from schools for major capital works.

As well as information on prioritisation criteria used to assess projects for inclusion in the building programme and progression through it; and details of 77 major primary school and 18 major post-primary projects completed last year.

"Our intention is to update and expand over time the range of information available to the school community and to the general public on individual buildings projects," said Mr O'Keeffe.

"The announcements I've made so far in respect of large-scale projects moving to tender and construction will benefit over 30,000 primary and post-primary students.

"Of the €614 million earmarked for schools, €514 million will be spent directly on new school buildings and refurbishments, with the remainder on sites and development levies.

"The €514m we spend on school building projects this year will sustain 4,780 direct construction jobs based on the conservative labour market intensity principle that 9.3 is the average number of direct jobs created annually by €1m of investment," said Minister O'Keeffe.

(PR/JM)