Building work on 70 schools to start next year

Construction work on 70 school building projects is to start next year as part of a €2bn, five-year capital investment programme.

A total of 275 school building projects, which include new schools and extensions, are taking place between 2012 and 2016.

The Minister for Education Ruari Quinn says the projects will provide more than 27,500 school places, most of which are additional places, as well as 3,800 jobs.