16 February, 2010 - Minister O'Keeffe announces 52 school building projects as part of €579m plan
- Projects to create 23,500 places in 20 new schools and 32 extensions
- Minister announces seven new primary schools in rapidly developing areas
The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, today [Tuesday] announced details of 52 school building projects which can go to tender and construction as part of the Government's €579 million school building programme.
Of these, 25 major school building projects which have planning permission will move to tender and construction shortly.
A further 27 major projects which have not yet secured full planning permission have been authorised to prepare their tender documentation and they are expected to go to tender and construction this year and early next year.
As well as that, 22 major school building projects approved to enter architectural planning in recent years will appoint design teams this year.
Another 29 high-priority major school building projects will begin the design process and appoint design teams this year.
Announcing the move, Minister O'Keeffe said the Government's sustained investment in the capital programme is transforming schools across the country.
'The 52 projects I am moving to tender and construction will create more than 23,500 school places in 20 new schools and 32 extended and refurbished schools.
'At primary level, over 14,500 pupils will get permanent school places.
'At post-primary level, 1,900 pupils will get new permanent school accommodation in three new school buildings while a further 7,400 pupils will benefit from major extension and refurbishment projects in their schools.
'That is in addition to the 28 major projects already on site.
'Officials from my Department will be in contact with the schools about the next steps they should take,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
Minister O'Keeffe said he was acutely conscious of the need for more school places after record birth rates in recent years.
'That is the reason I am authorising a further 51 projects to appoint design teams over the course of this year.
'Over the coming weeks, I will announce school projects under the Summer Works Scheme which includes measures to promote water conservation and cut water bills,' said Minister O’Keeffe.
Minister O'Keeffe said the investment this year again demonstrated the Government's desire to continue investing in the productive capacity of the economy, to create construction jobs and to provide schoolchildren and teachers with the best educational environment in which to learn and work.
'This year's €579 million school building programme will create more than 5,300 jobs in the construction industry at a time of severe contraction in the sector,' said Minister O’Keeffe.
The figure is based on industry analysts' conservative estimate that 9.3 is the average number of direct jobs created annually by €1 million of investment.
Separately, Minister O'Keeffe today approved seven new primary schools to open in September in rapidly developing areas: Ballbriggan, Co Dublin [County Dublin VEC]; Swords, Co Dublin [Educate Together]; Doughiska, Co Galway [Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora]; Naas, Co Kildare [County Kildare VEC]; Portlaoise, Co Laois [Educate Together]; Drogheda, Co Louth [Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh]; and Navan, Co Meath [Co Meath VEC].
Minister O'Keeffe said the move followed a detailed analysis of projected demographic growth over the coming years and consultation with patron bodies.
'We are using technology to map areas where schools will be needed and we are responding to these demographic trends by investing in school buildings and establishing new schools.
'I have extended the community national school pilot to Balbriggan, Naas and Navan this year because I want to evaluate the model in different locations before making informed decisions about expanding it further,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
Projects going to tender and construction
Projects authorised to prepare tender documents
Design team by quarter
ENDS
|
