Written answers

Thursday, 22 March 2007

Department of Education and Science

National Development Plan

5:00 pm

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proposed public private partnership projects under her Department planned under the national development plan in the 2007 to 2013 capital envelope; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10736/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In September 2005 I announced funding of €300 million for an Education PPP Programme comprising of 23 new post-primary schools and 4 new primary schools under a major expansion of the Government's Public Private Partnership Programme from 2006 to 2010. In addition I announced €270 million for the delivery of 17 priority projects in nine third level colleges.

Work commenced immediately on identifying the projects to go into bundles for procurement. The first bundle of schools announced in November 2005 comprises of Banagher College-Coláiste na Sionna, Gallen Community School, Ferbane, Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise and St Mary's CBS, Portlaoise. 2,700 pupil places will be provided when these schools are completed. This bundle completed pre-procurement and was handed over to the National Development Finance Agency in September 2006. The NDFA, in consultation with my Department have responsibility for the procurement process. The pre-qualification of bidders was completed in December 2006 and three short-listed bidders were selected on 22nd December 2006. The Invitation to Tender issued on 15th March 2007.

I announced the 2nd bundle of primary/post-primary projects in November 2006 and pre procurement work is ongoing on this bundle. This bundle comprises Bantry Community College and Gaelscoil Bheanntraí, Co. Cork, Kildare Town Community School, Abbeyfeale Community College, Athboy Community School and Wicklow Town Community College. This bundle will provide in excess of 4,200 pupil places when completed. Work on this bundle including schedules of accommodation, outline planning permission and stakeholder consultation has already commenced and it is anticipated that it will be offered to the market in 2007 subject to planning issues being completed. I will be announcing additional primary/post primary bundles during the coming year which will complete this Education PPP Programme.

In relation to the additional €240 million capital envelope provided for first and second level PPP projects in the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 my officials are currently examining how this will be best utilised. A number of issues will have to be determined before I make a decision on the allocation of these funds. All projects will be selected in accordance with my Department's prioritisation criteria and will be identified in consultation with the NDFA.

In relation to third level PPP projects, the National Maritime College was completed and operational in October 2004. A contract for the Cork School of Music was signed in September 2005. This project will provide places for 400 full time and 2,000 part time students. Work on the project commenced immediately. The new CSM will be completed in the Summer of 2007. I also announced the provision of funding for third level PPP projects in October 2005. The initial stakeholder consultation has taken place and work is currently ongoing with the relevant colleges to produce appropriate definitions of requirements and schedules of accommodation for their respective projects. It is expected that once the project requirements have been clearly established, a prospective bundle will be identifiable by the middle of this year with a view to commencing the procurement process in the latter half of 2007.

The scale of projects is an important consideration when considering procurement through the PPP methodology. Many higher education projects are large scale in nature which may render such projects particularly suitable for delivery through the PPP process. Under the NDP for 2007-2013 I secured additional funding of €325 million for third level projects. Over this 7 year period to 2013 further large scale higher education projects will emerge. My Department, in consultation with the HEA and the NDFA, will assess the suitability of delivering these projects through the PPP process.

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