Minister O'Keeffe announces 43 major new school building projects [DES]
- Published: 12 February 2009
Source: DES
'Over 19,600 students to benefit from new schools, extensions and refurbishments' - Minister
Forty-three major school building projects are to go to tender and construction this year, creating more than 19,600 places in new schools, extensions to existing schools and refurbished schools, according to the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD.
Announcing the move todaY, Minister O'Keeffe said: 'The school building projects will provide permanent primary school places for over 9,800 pupils in 21 new schools and seven extended and refurbished schools.
'At post-primary level, 5,600 students will get new permanent school accommodation in eight new schools.
'A further 4,275 students in seven post-primary schools will benefit from major extension and refurbishment projects.
'Five of these school building projects are being re-tendered under the new form of contracts for public capital projects to get the best value for money in the construction sector.
'The remaining 38 projects will go to tender and construction as soon as possible and it's expected that building work will begin on the majority of these projects this year.
'My officials will shortly be contacting each school about the next steps they should take,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
He pointed out that, this year, a record €656 million will be invested in the school building programme.
'The 43 major projects I'm announcing today to proceed to tender and construction, along with the 35 projects I've announced over the past four months, represent a very significant amount of new business for the construction industry at a time of severe contraction in the sector.
'The more competitive environment in the construction sector will allow me to maximise the return I get for the capital resources invested in the school building programme.
'Our increased spend this year demonstrates 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,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
He also announced details of 25 high-priority major school building projects that are now to start architectural planning.
The majority of these projects were previously approved in principle to enter architectural planning.
'These projects have been selected to start architectural planning now because they'll provide a significant number of extra school places in areas where demographic demand is great.
'Later in the year, I intend to announce further projects to begin architectural planning and I'll shortly reveal full details of this year's Summer Works Scheme and a new plan to improve energy efficiency in schools,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
ENDS
Please find attached links to two notes detailing schools projects going to tender and construction this year and projects starting architectural planning.
http://www.education.ie/
http://www.education.ie/
