A blueprint has been published for the development of schools over the next decade for an area incorporating parts of Cos Kildare, Offaly, Meath and Westmeath.
The new Area Development Plan for the N4-M4 area was announced by Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin.
"This plan, produced by the Commission on School Accommodation under a new model for school planning, will be the basis on which capital funding decisions will be made in the years to 2011 and beyond," the Minister said.
The commission received more than 100 written submissions and heard 24 oral presentations as part of the consultative process.
Ms Hanafin said she was anxious to ensure the department could be proactive in planning the needs of a rapidly developing area.
"This plan equips the Department of Education and Science with a blueprint for development in an area that will continue to experience rapid change in the coming years," said the Minister.
The model was spearheaded by the school planning section of the department, with the publication of a draft plan for the area in June 2004.
The Commission on School Accommodation (CSA) then engaged in a consultation process which culminated in yesterday's publication.
The Minister said the new model for school planning was based on a transparent process involving consultation with all interested parties from the localities concerned.
Responses were received from interested parties, including patrons, boards of management, principals, teachers, staff and parent groups, as well as local communities, she said.
The area incorporates Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth and Kilcock in Co Kildare; Edenderry in Co Offaly; Longwood, Clonard and Enfield in Co Meath; and Kinnegad, Killucan-Rathwire, Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge, Tyrrellspass, and Kilbeggan in Co Westmeath.
This is the second Area Development Plan to be published following the plan for Mountmellick and Mountrath.
The CSA is currently engaged in a consultation process in Newport-Westport in Co Mayo.
Later this year similar studies will be conducted in north Dublin-south Louth-east Meath and also in north Kerry, including Tralee and Castleisland.