Building projects in four third-level institutions - delivered under the Irish Government's public-private partnership (PPP) plan - will create hundreds of jobs in construction, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has said.

Minister O'Keeffe was speaking in the University of Limerick at the market launch of the first bundle of third-level educational facilities to be procured as a PPP.

In his keynote address to launch the open day for interested corsortia, Minister O'Keeffe said: "The Government recognises the essential importance of continuing to invest in our future productive capacity during the economic downturn.

"We've prioritised our programme of investment in modernising and updating educational infrastructure at all levels.

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"The projects we're presenting are major building projects in four higher education institutions.

"The aerial photographs and outline planning permission details for this bundle are a clear indication of the size of the investment."

He continued: "The new facilities will allow the institutions to cater for the expanding needs of their campus populations.

"They'll also provide them with infrastructure to enable them to be at the forefront of teaching, research and technology and to contribute to Ireland's development as a creative knowledge economy."

The projects are a library and information centre in Limerick Institute of Technology; phase two of a library project in the University of Limerick; a library extension in Cork Institute of Technology; and a digital media teaching building, consolidated workshops and multi-purpose hall in Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dublin.

"The project will create hundreds of much-needed direct construction jobs and I'm anxious to ensure that construction can start as early as possible next year," said the minister.

"Our economic recovery depends heavily on innovation and skills.

"Investment in education and training will help us to earn our living in the world economy and these projects will help us to achieve that objective," he added.

(PR/GK)