Vol. 569 No. 3
238 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the system employed by his Department for the construction of new primary schools; the stages involved in the process from beginning to completion; the details relating to the total expenditure made by his Department for each stage of the process for each year from 1997 to 2002; the projected expenditure for each stage of the process to year end 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17415/03]
My Department's design team procedures, comprising nine stages, have been devised to ensure that there is a consistent approach to the architectural planning of school buildings.
During the early stages of architectural planning of projects, stages 1 to 3, the design and planning of the project is developed from the assessment of site suitability through to the detailed design. Stages 1, 2 and 3 are combined for many projects.
The more advanced stages of architectural planning, stages 4 and 5, involve the obtaining of planning permission and the preparation of pre-tender documents. Stages 4 and 5 are combined for the vast bulk of projects. Stages 6 to 9 relate to the procurement of tenders, the placing of contracts, the commencement of construction and post-contract cost control.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department is also exploring ways of reducing the time-frame for processing projects through architectural planning and new standard plans are being devised, initially, for eight and 16 classroom schools. The main advantage is that my Department will be in a position to respond more quickly to building needs, having regard to the level of funding available. The process will also reduce the number of stages that a project must proceed through in architectural planning.
Financial information is maintained on a project by project basis rather than a stage by stage basis. However, if the Deputy wishes to seek details of funding on specific individual projects I will be happy to provide such information.
