Minister announces details of school building plans

The Minister for Education Noel Dempsey has announced details of his plans to spend €387m on school building projects next year.

Mr Dempsey said more than 170 projects in primary and secondary schools throughout Ireland would benefit from the funding in 2004.

The projects include the building of 14 sports halls and the construction of two new secondary schools in Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Further details of the school building programme are due to be made public in February.