A €280 million investment package for the education sector has been welcomed by the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn.

Some of the money will be used to fund the roll out of two further school bundles worth a total of €100 million.

The public private partnerships (PPPs) are part of the five-year schools capital investment programme unveiled by Mr Quinn earlier this year.

Bundle four will consists of one primary and five post-primary schools with an estimated value of €50 million, while details of the six schools to be delivered by bundle five have yet to be finalised.

Mr Quinn said: "Despite our economic difficulties ... through the use of PPPs and today's stimulus package we can continue to deliver for our growing school-going population."

PPPs allow the cost of state investments to be covered upfront by private sector funding during times of fiscal difficulties that threaten economic progression.

Written by Donal Walsh

Comments