A schools building list released by the Department of Education last week does not include five school building projects in Galway that were approved last year.

Maree, Clarenbridge, Oranmore, Lackagh and Menlo were all approved to go to planning on the basis of significant intake. Menlo was to get a new school building, while the other schools were due for renovations and extensions.

Deputy Frank Fahey, who has campaigned for schools including that in his own locality of Menlo, said he has spoken to Minister Hanafin about the issue.

"I said to Mary Hanafin that it was critical that the ones in Galway should go ahead, especially in these equally expanding areas," he said, referring to Galway areas that have seen significant population rises with no corresponding increase in facilities over the past number of years.

Allaying the fears of teachers and parents whose schools have already been cleared but were not included on the current list, the Minister said she would make a further announcement at Easter, which would allow another batch of schools to commence construction.

Speaking about the revelation last week that the Government spent €35 million on renting prefabs for schools last year, Deputy Fahey said "it's a waste of money when it would cost no more to build extensions."

The school building list released last week concentrates mainly on schools in the greater Dublin area and outlines details for 13 new schools and two extensions at primary level, with two new schools and one extension at post-primary level, as well as a further new 30 primary schools in rapidly developing areas. In an ambitious plan, these schools are to be in place by next September.

The Minister said that the announcement reflected "the particular emphasis in 2008 on providing sufficient school places in developing areas, while also showing the Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. The progression of three special schools will also deliver quality facilities for children with special educational needs," she said.

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