My department has a strong focus on standardisation and applies robust stage-gate controls across its projects in line with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines and the Capital Works Management Framework. The delivery of major school building projects follows five stages of architectural planning, as set out in the department’s Design Team Procedures, which establish the requirements to be met at each stage. My department employs a rigorous and structured design process, including robust stage approval reviews that challenge all aspects of design and specification. These reviews are essential to maintaining good cost control and supporting market interest by providing certainty that project scopes have been fully developed and considered. Functionality, long-term suitability, and the specific needs of schools, including special educational requirements, are also assessed throughout the process. This structured approach helps to ensure that projects progress efficiently and deliver high-quality, fit-for-purpose accommodation that represents value for money.
To support this we are engaged with well over 100 different engineering companies, consisting of Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Structural Engineering disciplines who support the pipe line of school projects across the various programmes. The issue you have raised of consultants, refusing to take work is not widely known with in the DoEY, and thank you for raising such an example. To note that an issue like this and any other issues can be easily dealt with constructively directly with the delivery team. To support consultants , the DoEY are actively engaged with a School Sector working group engaged with the Professional Bodies representing consultants and also consulting firms who are engaged with the delivery of school building projects. These include, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, Engineers Ireland and also includes the Royal Institute of Architects representing Architects and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland representing Quantity Surveyors. As part of this engagement the group is arranging to facilitate an online information session to consultants and members of the various professional bodies above which will endeavour to support the successful deliver of the School Sector Pipeline of projects on an annual basis.
This year, over 1,000 projects will be under construction across the school estate. In advancing projects, my department maintains a strong focus on affordability, sustainability, and value for money, including the use of phased delivery where necessary to ensure expenditure remains within National Development Plan funding parameters. Projects are prioritised to balance urgency, equity, and available resources, taking account of factors such as project readiness, planning approvals, and land availability. Particular priority is given to increasing capacity in special schools and special classes, providing permanent accommodation for schools that are fully in interim accommodation , and addressing demographic pressures and significant building condition issues. The DoEY are actively engaged with design teams and the industry to support programme delivery as required on a National level in support of the NDP objectives.
