Three local schools receive funding for works
Three Westmeath schools are included in the 20 school building projects that are expected to progress to tender and construction in 2022 and 2023.
They are: St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, for an extension and refurbishment, including a four-classroom base for children with special educational needs; Castlepollard Community College, for an extension and refurbishment, including a two-classroom base for children with special educational needs; and Moate Community School, for an extension, including a four-classroom base for children with special educational needs.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD confirmed that the projects, being managed and delivered on a devolved basis by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on behalf of her department, are expected to progress to tender stage.
The minister said the first phase of the process for the procurement of design and build (D&B) contractors for the programme has been completed through the selection of five D&B contractors.
The second phase of the procurement process will involve the tendering of the first bundle of projects by the D&B contractors and the establishment of a contractor framework to tender for each subsequent bundle of projects as they become ready (design work completed and planning permission obtained).
The 20 projects are being delivered in three project bundles: Project Nore, Project Boyne and Project Dargle.
Subject to the timelines for obtaining planning permission, it is envisaged that they will proceed to tender and construction over the course of 2022 and 2023.
Project management and design team consultants have already been appointed for all projects within the programme.
Each project bundle is progressing through a different stage of the design development process and, once they complete the statutory approvals process, they can all then be expected to proceed to tender to the contractor framework.
These projects when completed will deliver in excess of 14,000 permanent school places (additional and replacement places), which includes more than 50 special classes. It also includes new and modern facilities for 22 classrooms in two special schools.
Minister Foley said: “The rollout of these projects to tender and construction is an important aspect of the department’s overall delivery under the government’s National Development Plan 2021 to 2030. They will assist in delivering on the provision of modern and sustainable infrastructure for the schools sector.
“I would also like to acknowledge the work of the school communities, stakeholders and particularly the NDFA in driving forward with this programme. The NDFA is an important strategic delivery partner for the department and I look forward to continuing to build on this relationship in the future with the rollout of further programmes.”
Minister of State Robert Troy has been working with a number of the schools to advance the building projects and is “extremely happy” to receive confirmation from Minister Foley that they have entered this critical stage of development.