Building work to begin on two Bantry schools under PPP model - Minister O’Keeffe

Building work is expected to begin in the Spring on two new schools in Bantry for over 900 students following the selection of Macquarie Partnerships for Ireland (MPFI) as the preferred tenderer for the projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD.

The two Bantry schools which are co-located on the same site are among five post-primary schools and one primary school in the second bundle of PPP projects.

MPFI was selected following a competitive tendering process.

Minister O'Keeffe said: 'Bantry Community College will be a new school for 700 students arising from the amalgamation of St Goban’s College and Árdscoil Phobal Bheanntraí.

'And Gaelscoil Bheanntraí - a new eight-classroom primary school for 228 pupils - will be built on the same site.

'I'm delighted that these projects are moving project for the people of Bantry and West Cork,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

The six schools in the second PPP bundle are:

• Bantry Community College, Co Cork: new school for 700 students arising from the amalgamation of St Goban’s College and Árdscoil Phobal Bheanntraí;

• Abbeyfeale Community College, Co Limerick: new school for 850 students arising from the amalgamation of St Ita’s College, St Joseph’s Secondary School and Abbeyfeale Vocational School;

• Athboy Community School, Co Meath: new school for 950 students arising from the amalgamation of St James’ Vocational School and St Joseph’s Secondary School;

• Kildare Town Community School, Co Kildare: new school for 1,000 students arising from the amalgamation of St Joseph’s Academy, Presentation Secondary School and Kildare Town Vocational School;

• Wicklow Town Community College, Co Wicklow: new school for 1,000 students arising from the amalgamation of Abbey Vocational School and De La Salle Secondary School;

• Gaelscoil Bheanntraí, Co Cork: new eight-classroom primary school for 228 pupils.

Under the PPP model, the schools will be designed, built, financed and maintained for 25 years by MPFI.

Building work is expected to begin on the schools in the Spring and they should be ready for September 2011.

Announcing the move, Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘These school projects will create over 4,700 places for students and teachers in five post-primary schools and one primary school.

‘The five post-primary schools should consider today’s announcement as an affirmation of their work in agreeing to rationalise provision.

‘Over €1.3 billion has been identified in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 for the provision of educational PPP projects.

‘Building work is already under way on the first bundle of PPP school projects while my Department and the National Development Finance Agency are progressing other projects through the procurement process.

‘One of the main advantages PPP schools have is that the principal isn’t involved on a daily basis in maintenance and caretaking issues.

‘These become the responsibility of the PPP operator for the period of the contract.

‘I want to pay tribute to all those involved in bringing the projects to this stage, particularly the management and principals of the schools.

‘I also want to acknowledge the work of my own Department's staff and the staff of the NDFA who’re responsible for the procurement and delivery of the six schools.

‘I’ll continue to use the PPP model, as appropriate, to supplement the traditional programme of school construction.

‘Projects I’ve announced since taking office last year, excluding PPP projects, will create over 30,000 new school places.’

The six schools have been designed by Irish design teams and they’ll be built by Irish contractors - an important boost for the country’s construction industry in challenging times.