Introduction

The allocation for Primary and Post-Primary school building in 2010 is €579m. This represents a significant ongoing investment in the school building and modernisation programme.

The information presented here gives an overview of the 2010 schools building programme including all projects currently progressing through architectural planning, tendering an in construction.

Projects on site or progressing to tender and construction in 2010

In early 2010 the Minister announced 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 had planning permission are moving to tender and construction.

A further 27 major projects which had not yet secured full planning permission were authorised to prepare their tender documentation and they are expected to go to tender and construction over the course of this year and early next year.

In addition, some projects from the 2009 programme have carried over and are still in construction in 2010.

There are currently 38 major school projects on site. A further 31 projects are currently at tender stage and 7 projects have reached completion to date this year. There are a further 56 major projects progressing towards tender and construction. Information on these projects can be accessed through the following link:

Major Projects progressing to construction, on-site or completed in 2010

Because of the timespan involved in a major school building project, from tendering, contract placement and commencement of construction to practical completion and occupation, a number of these projects will continue to form part of the 2011 school building programme.

Projects in Architectural Planning

Currently, there are over 160 major projects at various stages of architectural planning. These include 51 major school building projects approved to enter architectural planning this year.

The progression of each of these projects, from initial design stage through to construction, is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. These projects will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of each project at this time.

You can access summary information, including band ratings and current status, on any of these projects by following this link: 

Projects in Architectural Planning

Forward Planning and Areas of Significant Population Growth

The Department’s Forward Planning Section has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social & Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.

The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 selected locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. This information has been circulated to all existing school Patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school, should it be required. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.

You can access a list of these areas by following this link…

Areas of Most Significant Population Growth

Forward Planning Section is now in the process of carrying out detailed analysis and reports for each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015.

When the detailed reports are completed for these initial areas identified the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.
 

Prioritisation of Projects for Major Capital Works

All applications for capital funding are assessed in the Planning and Building Unit of the Department. The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings, site capacity and so on leading ultimately to an appropriate accommodation solution.

As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. These criteria were devised following consultation with the education partners. Projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme on the basis of priority of need. This is reflected in the band rating assigned to a project. In other words, a proposed building project moves through the system commensurate with the band rating assigned to it.

There are four band ratings overall, of which band one is the highest and band four the lowest. For example, band one projects include the provision of buildings where none currently exist but there is a high demand for pupil places while a band four project makes provision of desirable but not necessarily urgent or essential facilities. Each band rating has several sub-categories which more specifically describes the type of works needed and the urgency attaching to them.

Information on the Prioritisation Band Rating Criteria can be accessed by following this link:

Prioritisation Criteria for Major Projects

Applications for Major Capital Works

Currently, there are almost 1200 applications on hand from Primary and Post-Primary schools for major capital works. Every application is initially given a provisional priority band rating. However, a definitive band rating is only assigned to a project when it is being considered for commencement of architectural planning.
You can access summary information, including provisional band ratings, on any of these applications by following this link:

Applications for Major Capital Works