A ministerial committee on Monday approved the construction of dormitories reinforced for protection against rocket fire in the Qassam-battered western Negev town of Sderot.

The establishment of the new dormitories is one of seven development projects approved Monday by the Ministerial Committee on Development in the Negev and Galilee, which is headed by Vice Premier Shimon Peres.

The construction of the dormitories, intended for use by some 700 Sapir College students, will cost approximately NIS 80 million.

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Peres told ministers during the meeting that the government could not delay the protection of Sderot residents, particularly that of children.

The panel also agreed to allocate 30 construction sites in a number of Negev communities, including Mitzpe Ramon, Yeruham and Merhav Am. The plots will be offered at approximately NIS 50,000 each.

The state will subsidize the development costs for the site, which range from NIS 123,400 in Yeruham to NIS 260,000 in the new community of Merhav Am.

The project itself will cost an estimated NIS 10.5 million. In addition, the government will subsidize the development costs of 45 plots as well as public buildings in Be'er Milka, at a total cost of NIS 8 million.

The committee also approved the establishment of the village Al Manara, for disabled members of the Galilee's non-Jewish sector. The village will provide 140 quality employment positions. The project will cost an estimated NIS 56 million, with the government contributing up to 35 percent of the overall costs.

The state has also agreed to provide government assistance to help 20 educational and settlement groups in the Galilee and Negev expand. The committee also decided to push for an international research center in the Negev's Kibbutz Sdeh Boker for the development and export of water technology.