Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

77 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the Department gets value for money in relation to the cost of school buildings; if any comparable analysis on costs per square foot have been conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12286/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department monitors the cost limits for school building projects on an ongoing basis, taking into account factors such as current conditions in the construction industry, published cost indices for labour and materials and movements in tender levels. Account is also taken of historical data on tender prices and changes arising from adjustments to school planning guidelines.

The policy of my Department is to control the cost of building projects through cost and floor area limits to achieve value for money. The current basic building cost for primary schools is £800 per square metre and for post-primary schools £850 per square metre. These figures compare favourably with those for building projects in the private sector and other areas of the public sector. The basic building cost includes the building and substructures; the proportion of contingencies, preliminaries and insurances allocated to these and value added tax.

In addition, the standard guidelines relating to public procurement are followed and the competitive element involved in the tendering process also ensures value for money.