Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin has given the go-ahead for the construction of 13 new primary and two secondary schools as part of her department's 2008 building programme.
Ms Hanafin said plans for a further 30 primary schools in "rapidly developing areas" would be in place by next September.
"With almost €600 million to be spent this year on school building projects we need to manage the projects on a rolling basis throughout the year in order to deliver the best outcome for our investment," she said.
She insisted that where suitable sites are available, permanent schools are being delivered.
"The remainder are temporary schools, pending finalisation of suitable permanent sites. Plans are well advanced for these schools and planning permission applications are being lodged," she added.
The list of approved primary schools were: Ballyea Mixed NS, Sn Baile Aodha in Clare; Macroom BNS, Macroom, in Cork; Clonmany Mixed NS in Donegal; Scoil Eoghan Moville in Donegal; Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille, Cill Tiarnain in Dublin; St Benedicts Ongar National School, Littlepace in Dublin; Holy Spirit Special Sch, Gaol Road, Kilkenny; Emo Mixed NS Portlaoise in Laois; St Dympnas and St Nicholas Special Schools in Mayo; Scoil Naise Na Dearmhai Longwood in Meath; Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Laytown in Meath; Cluain Maolain NS, Cluain Maolain, An Uaimh, in Westmeath, St Andrew's N.S., & (2) Newcourt Special School, Newcourt Rd, Bray in Wicklow.
The two secondary schools were Adamstown Community College, Mountrath Community School, Mountrath, Co Laois.