Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:242 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for school projects to be included in Band Rating 2:1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29392/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 June 2012
Ceisteanna (162)
Freagraí scríofa
All applications for large scale capital funding are assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. There are four band ratings, of which band one is the highest and band four the lowest. Band one projects, for example, include the provision of buildings where none currently exists but there is a high demand for pupil places, while a band four project makes provision for desirable but not necessarily urgent or essential facilities, such as a library or new sports hall. An explanation of the band rating system is available on my Department's website onwww.education.ie. A copy is set out below for the Deputy’s ease of reference.
Amended Criteria for Prioritising Large Scale Projects (Primary and Post Primary)
Background
The 2004 School Building Programme indicated that a review of the criteria for prioritising large-scale projects would be undertaken in consultation with the Education Partners early in 2004. The review was necessary to ensure that the criteria have the optimum precision and are fully tuned to meeting the priority accommodation needs of primary and post primary schools.
The amended criteria will be applied to all projects that are not proceeding to tender and site as part of the 2004 School Building Programme. These projects will be detailed in the Multi Annual Programme currently being prepared.
Band 1
Band 1 subdivides into four sub divisions or sub sets 1.1; 1.2; 1.3 and 1.4.
Criteria applicable to a Band 1.1 project
Serving a rapidly developing area whereeither there is no existing school or where existing provision is unable to meet the demand for places.
Definition of a rapidly developing area:
A rapidly developing area is located in a large urban centre or within commuting distance of a large urban centre.
The area has experienced major and significant demographic change in the past ten years.
All available information indicates that the process of sustained development is set to continue with a corresponding major and significant impact on the demographics of the area.
There is clear evidence of substantial pressure for pupil places in all schools serving the area.
No school in the area is operating below capacity.
No school is accommodating a sizeable or significant number of pupils from outside of its catchment area.
Criteria applicable to a Band 1.2 project
The provision of specialist accommodation urgently required for children with special needs such as autism, speech and language impairment, severe and profound intellectual impairment, etc.
Criteria applicable to a Band 1.3 project
Addressing the needs of schools that are structurally unsound.
Criteria applicable to a Band 1.4 project
Providing accommodation post rationalisation.
Band 2
Band 2 subdivides into six sub divisions or subsets 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5 and 2.6.
Criteria applicable to a Band 2.1 project
A Band 2.1 project should reflect theentirety of the following criteria.
There is a deficit of mainstream accommodation. The deficit constitutes a substantial and significant proportion of the school's overall accommodation needs.
A technical evaluation of a school building indicates that an extensive refurbishment of existing accommodation is required. The refurbishment cannot be rectified by the application of an improved and / or comprehensive maintenance programme.
The necessary remedial works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in any one year or incrementally over a number of years.
There is clear evidence that the day-to-day functionality of the school is impaired or will become seriously impaired unless urgent remedial action is taken promptly.
Determining a deficit of mainstream accommodation
A deficit of mainstream accommodation shall be computed by firstly determining the overall accommodation needs of the school relative to its curricular options and/or its projected long-term enrolment. The quality, extent and adequacy of existing accommodation, including temporary accommodation (whether rented or otherwise) will then be assessed. Where existing accommodation is determined to be inappropriate to the school's long term needs, it will be reckoned for the purposes of determining the deficit of mainstream accommodation. Additionally, as a general guiding principle, reliance on temporary accommodation as a reasonable solution to a school's long-term accommodation needs is not a sustainable position.
Definition of extensive refurbishment
As a general principle, the definition suggested is not intended to be prescriptive, when it is necessary to address all or a majority of the following elements of a school an extensive refurbishment applies.
Upgrade of the mechanical system.
Upgrade of the electrical system.
Extensive roof repairs.
Improvements to the structures or fabric of a building, i.e. spalling concrete, etc.
Window replacements.
Interior door replacement including the installation of fire doors.
Replacement of ceilings.
Replacement of floor.
Criteria applicable to a Band 2.2 project
There is a deficit of mainstream accommodation. The deficit constitutes a substantial and significant proportion of the school's overall accommodation needs. The condition of the existing accommodation is adequate.
Criteria applicable to a Band 2.3 project
A technical evaluation of a school building indicates that an extensive refurbishment of existing accommodation is required. The refurbishment cannot be rectified by the application of an improved and / or comprehensive maintenance programme.
The necessary remedial works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in any one year or incrementally over a number of years.
There is clear evidence that the day-to-day functionality of the school is impaired or will become seriously impaired unless urgent remedial action is taken promptly.
Criteria applicable to a Band 2.4 project
There is a deficit of mainstream accommodation. The deficit does not represent a substantial or significant proportion of the school's overall accommodation needs.
A technical evaluation of a school building indicates that a refurbishment is required the nature and extent of which is not as extensive or critical as applies in Band 2.1 or Band 2.3. The refurbishment cannot be rectified by the application of an improved and / or comprehensive maintenance programme.
The necessary remedial works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in one year or incrementally over a number of years.
Criteria applicable to a Band 2.5 project
There is a deficit of mainstream accommodation. The deficit does not represent a substantial or significant proportion of the school's overall accommodation needs. The condition of the existing accommodation at the school is adequate.
Criteria applicable to a Band 2.6 project
A technical evaluation of a school building indicates that a refurbishment is required the nature and extent of which is less extensive and less critical than applies in Band 2.3.
The refurbishment cannot be rectified by the application of an improved and / or comprehensive maintenance programme.
The necessary remedial works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in one year or incrementally over a number of years.
Band 3
Band 3 subdivides into five sub divisions or subsets 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; and 3.5.
Criteria applicable to a Band 3.1 project
While there is no deficit of mainstream accommodation at the school, there is a deficit of ancillary accommodation required to support delivery of special education, i.e. learning supports.
Some improvements works are necessary but not urgent.
The necessary improvement works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in one year or incrementally over a number of years and/or through the application of an improved or comprehensive maintenance programme.
Key definition
Ancillary accommodation is accommodation other than mainstream classrooms or specialist rooms in post primary schools required for the teaching of specialist subjects.
Criteria applicable to a Band 3.2 project
While there is no deficit of mainstream accommodation at the school, there is a deficit of ancillary accommodation required to support delivery of special education i.e. learning supports.
No improvements works are required.
Criteria applicable to a Band 3.3 project
While there is no deficit of mainstream accommodation at the school, there is a deficit of ancillary accommodation other than ancillary accommodation required to support delivery of special education (learning supports).
Some improvements works are necessary but not urgent.
The necessary improvement works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in one year or incrementally over a number of years and/or through the application of an improved or comprehensive maintenance programme.
Criteria applicable to a Band 3.4 project
While there is no deficit of mainstream accommodation at the school, there is a deficit of ancillary accommodation other than ancillary accommodation required to support delivery of special education (learning supports).
No improvements works are necessary.
Criteria applicable to a Band 3.5 project
There is no deficit of accommodation at the school.
Improvements works are necessary but not urgent. Day to day functionality is not impaired.
The necessary improvements works cannot be addressed either through the Summer Works Scheme in one year or incrementally over a number of years and/or through the application of an improved or comprehensive maintenance programme.
Band 4
Band 4 projects are desirable but not urgent or essential.
Selecting within Bands
When it is necessary to select projects from within the same band, as a general principle projects will be selected on the basis of enrolment stability; projects that have been the longest period in the planning process and the most cost effective solution.
|
Band |
Sub Category |
Details |
|
1 |
1.1 |
New schools or extension in developing areas |
|
1 |
1.2 |
Accommodation for special needs students |
|
1 |
1.3 |
School that are structurally unsound |
|
1 |
1.4 |
Rationalisation projects |
|
Band 2 |
||
|
2 |
2.1 |
Major extension of existing schoolandExtensive refurbishment. |
|
2 |
2.2 |
Major extension of existing school. |
|
2 |
2.3 |
Extensive refurbishment. |
|
2 |
2.4 |
Extension of existing schoolandModerate refurbishment. |
|
2 |
2.5 |
Extension of existing school |
|
2 |
2.6 |
Moderate refurbishment. |
|
Band 3 |
||
|
3 |
3.1 |
Ancillary accommodation for special education and some improvements only |
|
3 |
3.2 |
Ancillary for special education only. |
|
3 |
3.3 |
Deficit of ancillary other than special education ancillary and some improvements. |
|
3 |
3.4 |
Deficit of ancillary other than special education ancillary. |
|
3 |
3.5 |
Improvement works. |
|
Band 4 |
||
|
4 |
4.1 |
All other requests |
Queries:
Please address queries to:
School Planning Section,
Department of Education and Science,
Clonminch,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly.
Email:school_planning@education.gov.ie
July 2004