andMr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education, in respect of the school building projects to be operated under the Design, Finance and Construct pilot scheme; (a) the guidelines given by her Department for the design for the projects; (b) the standards set by her Department in respect of construction of the schools; (c) the full terms for the leasing by the State of the schools from the private developer, including the total cost per student place over the term of the lease; (d) the mechanism for adjustment of rent during the term of the lease and the assumed rate of interest used in determining the capital repayment element in the rent; (e) if the lease terms will be the same in respect of all four schools; (f) the criteria and method of assessment for judging the success of this pilot project; and (g) if the leases in question are designed by her to comply with and come within the terms of the Leases for Schools Act; and, if not, the statutory authority under which she considers she is acting in this matter.
Written Answers. - School Building Projects.
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows: (a) A comprehensive design brief (architectural and educational) together with detailed specifications will be provided to the developers who will be invited to submit proposals under the scheme; (b) The standards set will comply with the draft building regulations and with the standards and codes of building practice now current and shall comply with all requirements of the local authorities concerned; (c), (d), (e) and (g) The completed buildings will not be leased but will be acquired through a purchase agreement which provides for the cost to the State to be met on a deferred payment basis over a period of 20 years. The actual cost of each project will depend on the financial terms agreed with the developer and cannot be ascertained until proposals are received; (f) The pilot scheme will be fully assessed from the educational, architectural and financial points of view.