Tánaiste says significant capital monies being invested in Education - Dept of Education and Skills achieving best value for taxpayers' money [education.ie]
- Published: 04 November 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has today outlined the capital spending projections of her Department for 2010.
In excess of €450 million has already been spent this year from the capital budget. This week alone, €24 million is issuing for ICT grants in primary schools. This ties in with the normal pattern of higher spending in the final quarter.
In total, it is expected that by the end of 2010, 53 new schools will have commenced on site this year. This compares to projects for 34 schools going on site last year and is therefore a 56% increase in on-site commencements compared to last year.
The substantial reduction in construction prices has meant that the Department is achieving greater value for taxpayers' money. Contract prices are now sometimes up to 40% lower than when they were at their peak and a significant proportion of this is an additional reduction on 2009 average prices. Furthermore, difficulties within the construction industry linked to very low tender prices are creating delays, for example, confirmation of the availability of a bond prior to a contract being awarded is taking much more time. In addition, the costs of sites have been reducing and there have also been some delays in completing planned site transactions arising from legal and planning issues.
Full Story: www.education.ie
