09/01/2009

School Programme To Generate 3,300 Jobs

Despite the mass job losses already announced this year, the Minister for Education has proposed up to 3,300 construction jobs could be created this year.

The Government's €900 million school building programme for 2009 has today been announced by TD Batt O'Keeffe and is expected to bring some much needed employment opportunities.

Some €580 million will be used to build new primary and post-primary schools as well as upgrading existing facilities while the higher education sector will have an allocation of €265 million.

Minister O'Keefe said: "Some economic commentators work to the principle that every €255,000 of investment in construction activity is likely to generate a single job.

"Applying this theory to my capital programme should ensure that around 3,300 construction jobs will be secured this year."

Last month the minister announced seven projects to be included in the third bundle of schools as part of the department's public-private partnership (PPP) programme.

Six are post-primary schools and one is a primary school to be located in counties Donegal, Leitrim, Galway, Wexford, Waterford and Westmeath.

Announcing the projects, Minister O'Keeffe said the schools will provide new accommodation for over 4,800 pupils.

(DW)(BMcC)

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