THIRTY-FIVE schools will be built next year as the Department of Education plans for a continuing rise in pupil numbers.
Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by about 70,000 between now and 2018 – by over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary. Enrolment will continue to rise at post-primary level to the year 2024 at least.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn yesterday announced details of the major projects due to go to construction next year. These include 26 schools at primary level; 12 major extensions at primary level; nine schools at second level and nine major extensions at second level.
Announcing the programme, the Minister said: “We are prioritising investment in school buildings in line with the Government’s capital investment programme. We have to ensure that every child growing up in Ireland will have access to a physical school place.”
In all, €430 million will be spent on educational infrastructure next year – representing the first phase of a €2 billion, five-year plan for major school-building projects.
Details of the five-year plan will be published in the coming months. This will outline when the major projects needed to cater for demographic growth will be completed.
Mr Quinn said publication of the plan will also enhance the transparency and openness in the school-building system.
“This substantial investment will provide over 100,000 permanent school places of which over 80,000 will be additional school places – the remainder will be replacement of temporary or unsatisfactory accommodation.” The Minister indicated that there had been good progress in the school-building programme in 2011.
“Major building projects for 55 schools, providing permanent places for over 18,500 pupils, have been completed so far this year,” he said. “There are a further 60 schools under construction at the moment, most of which will be completed during 2012.”
He indicated that arrangements are now being put in place for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) to assist the department by delivering some of the new schools and extensions required from 2013. This is in addition to the projects that are being managed by individual vocational education committees.
He said: “I am committed to using alternative methods of delivering major school-building projects in order to maximise the number of projects we deliver and to speed up delivery.
“I am pleased that the OPW and the NDFA have agreed to take on the role of manager for some of the urgent projects.”
Mr Quinn also announced a post-primary school design competition to be organised by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. This will provide a real opportunity for innovative design in new second-level schools.
Details of schools anticipated to be progressed to construction are available at education.ie
