Two-thirds await building green light

ALMOST two-thirds of schools that were told 18 months ago that their building projects would be started by early this year are still waiting for approval from the Department of Education, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Fine Gael has accused the Government of breaking more education promises and using commitments to schools — desperate for decent accommodation — to win votes.

Former education minister Mary Hanafin announced a list of 54 primary schools in November 2006 which she said would be able to proceed to construction with their extensions or new buildings within 12 to 15 months, or by November 2007 to February 2008.