Sixteen projects have been added to the Government's school building plan for next year.
A total of 70 improvements and new builds will begin across the country in 2015 at a cost of €450m.
It is part of the Government's €2.2bn stimulus programme announced in 2012 and will see more than 28,000 school places created by the end of next year.
An additional 16 schemes have been added to the building list, including new schools in Waterford, Wexford, Laois and Kildare.
Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan said the news was a major boost to pupils across Ireland.
"This will mean a new start for children around the country in terms of having good school buildings in which to study and learn," she said.
The 70 major projects scheduled to proceed to construction in 2015 are:
- 44 new schools at primary level
- 11 extensions at primary level
- Five new schools at second-level
- Eight extensions at second-level
- Two new special schools
A list of the projects for construction in 2015
A list of projects which reached substantial completion this year
A list of ongoing projects from 2014