INTO calls for publication of school list

TEACHERS have called for Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe to immediately publish the prioritisation of all school building projects on his website after it emerged he had two schools added at the last minute to the most recent announcement in February.

Documents released to the Irish Examiner under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show that Barefield National School, Co Clare, and Inchicore National School in Dublin were added to the list after the minister’s policy adviser contacted the building unit in relation to the 41 schools it had proposed should go to tender and construction this year.

Despite an email showing that one building unit official made clear to Mr O’Keeffe’s adviser that their inclusion would have implications for urgent building projects in 2011 and 2012, the minister insisted the decision was not political, or in response to lobbying from Fianna Fáil representatives.