The Education Minister has welcomed the announcement that eight new schools are to open in 2014.
The European Investment Bank has provided a loan of €50m euro for the project which is also being funded by Bank of Ireland the National Pensions Reserve Fund.
The project, which will serve over 6,000 pupils, will see the construction of six secondary and two primary schools across seven counties.
Ruairi Quinn says he is delighted to be able to give the development the go-ahead.