Education sector gets €555m development boost

THE Government is to spend €555 million under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to provide an array of new school and university facilities by 2009.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday announced that 23 new post-primary schools and four primary schools would be built between 2006 and 2009, with the Government allocating €300m for the purpose.

Another €255m will be allocated for third-level projects in the same period, although these have yet to be identified.