Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list all stages for schools buildings projects; the average length of time it takes a school in each stage; the total average from stage 1 to the building of the school; if there are any proposed changes to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7405/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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At present, there are five stages of architectural planning involved in the delivery of major school projects. The stages reflect the Capital Works Management Framework developed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The stages and indicative timelines are as follows: Stage 1 – Preliminary (2 to 5 months); Stage 2 - Design (which is divided into Stage 2a - Developed Sketch Scheme and Stage 2b - Detailed Design) (9 to 12 months); Stage 3 - Tender Action, Evaluation and Award (5 to 8 months); Stage 4 – Construction (12 to 24 months); and Stage 5 - Handover of Works and Final Account (12 months minimum).

The period of time it takes to progress through each of these stages varies from project to project depending on its size and complexity. Design Teams are appointed to progress major projects through the stages of architectural planning. In normal circumstances once a Design Team has been appointed, the project should be progressed expeditiously to the completion of Stage 2b i.e. the preparation of Tender Documents. The responsibility for the progression of the project from Stage to Stage (in accordance with the Project Brief and the Department's Design Guidelines) rests with the Design Team in agreement with the client, subject to the project timelines and the availability of funding. The written authorisation of the Department to proceed is always required prior to progression to stages 3 (tender) and 4 (contract award & construction).

More details on the procedures governing each of these stages are available on my Department's website at . The procedures were last revised in 2012.