IPPN

Over 200 schools to receive funding for extension and refurbishment works

Over €73m being provided so that schools can move ahead quickly to deal with their building needs under devolved scheme - Hanafin - Hanafin

Funding for Small Schools Scheme twice last years allocation

The Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin T.D., today outlined details of 210 schools being allocated funding to enable them to undertake extension or refurbishment works to address growing accommodation needs. In a major expansion of the Small Schools and Permanent Accommodation Schemes Minister Hanafin is providing over €73m to the schools concerned so that they can move ahead quickly to deal with their building needs.

135 of the schools which are covered by the Small Schools Scheme will be offered grants of between €275,000 to €820,000 depending on the type of works involved.

Announcing details of the schools benefiting from the scheme Minister Hanafin said "by each school authority using the budget allocated to them, they will have control of the planning and construction phases of the improvement works at their own school without the involvement of the Department.

The 210 schools being offered funding range from rural schools in need of refurbishment or extension to schools in developing areas which are experiencing increased enrolment" added Minister Hanafin.

The €73 million package covers a variety of school projects including

• 135 primary schools which will benefit under the Small Schools Scheme. Funding of over €54m is allocated under this scheme; double that allocated in 2005 and four times the 2004 amount. The number of schools being invited to participate in the scheme has increased by 40% and the rate of funding for individual schools is being increased on average by 20%. Grants under the Scheme now range from €275k to €820k depending on school size and the type of works involved. The Small Schools Scheme, aimed at primary schools of up to four teachers where enrolment numbers are stable aims to address accommodation requirements over the next decade.
• Over €19m is being provided to 75 schools under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme so that they can deliver additional small scale permanent classroom accommodation.

In addition to the permanent solution being provided through these schemes and the major projects already announced, up to 200 schools are being given approval to rent temporary premises, pending the delivery of a permanent solution to their long-term accommodation needs.

School authorities that opt to participate in these schemes accept devolved responsibility, authority and funding for the delivery of the projects, with the guidance of documentation developed by staff in the Planning and Building Unit and through ongoing contact with a designated staff member.

Minister Hanafin went on to say "the devolving of funding to local level allows schools to have ownership of their projects and assist in moving projects in a specific timeframe to tender and construction. Our experience has shown that this devolution has the potential to deliver better value for money."

The Minister also indicated that she will be making further announcements in the 2006 - 2010 School Building and Modernisation Programme in the coming weeks to include:

• Schools already in design that will be authorised to progress further through the architectural planning process and to tender and construction in the next 12 - 15 months
• Further phases of the PPP process

See list of total projects below.

Full list of schools in each county in separate attachment

ENDS

6th March 2006