Richard Bruton
Question:168 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the average duration from initial approval of a school building project to final completion. [3040/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
My Department's design team procedures apply to the building or an extension or new school and a full design team is engaged to address the architectural, structural, services and cost control aspects of the proposal. The design team procedures are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to the architectural planning of school buildings, with a view to ensuring quality school buildings built at a cost that represents value for money.
These procedures consist of nine stages. The design and planning of the project is covered by stages 1 to 5, during which the project is developed from the assessment of site suitability, through the detailed design, including the obtaining of planning permission, to the point where detailed bills of quantities are prepared.
At stage 6 tenders are sought in line with public procurement procedures and subsequently a tender report is prepared and examined. Assuming that the outcome of the tender process is acceptable in terms of procurement procedures, providing value for money and that funds are available to meet construction costs a construction contract is placed at that stage and the construction of the project begins.
Stages 7 to 9 cover post-contract cost control throughout the construction period, construction and practical completion of the building, including hand-over of the building to the proposed occupiers and the completion of the cost analysis in the form of the final account, ensuring that cost control was maintained.
The rate of progress of a project to construction depends on factors such as the complexity and size of the project, which may have an impact on the time required to undertake architectural planning. The period of time required for the granting of planning permission and obtaining a fire certificate may also vary from project to project. The volume of other projects being dealt with by the design teams and my Department's building unit may also affect the rate of progress of a project. In every case the decision to award a construction contract is subject to the outcome of the tender process offering value for money and the availability of funding to meet the cost of construction. After the award of a construction contract, a contractor cannot commence work on site until any relevant bonds, insurances and evidence of tax clearance have been produced.
The Deputy will appreciate that there has been a massive and unprecedented increase in the funds allocated by this Government to the building programme at all levels. The allocation for primary and post primary buildings in 2002 is €335.95 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving the accommodation situation in both primary and post-primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997.
Due to the greatly increased level of investment in the building area since this Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity.