Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
98. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the time spent at each stage of the delivery process for projects under the school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28460/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department’s process for delivering a school building project under the large-scale programme or additional school accommodation programme involves five core stages. These stages are reflective of the Capital Works Management Framework and the Infrastructure Guidelines. The stages range from preliminary design through to completion and handover. My department’s Design Team Procedures set out the requirements to be followed at each stage in the process. These procedures are available on my department’s website.
The indicative timelines and work progressed at each of the key stages is as follows:
Stage 1 – Preliminary Design (approx. 6 -12 months). The Preliminary Design stage includes reviewing all information provided as part of the Project Brief. It also involves establishing and analysing all site factors and constraints which may impact on the project’s viability.
Stage 2 - Design (which is divided into Stage 2a - Developed Sketch Scheme and Stage 2b - Detailed Design).
Stage 2a (approx. 9-12 months) includes development of the design and accurately cost planning the option agreed with the Client. This stage brings the project to the point of lodging for statutory approvals.
Stage 2b (approx. 12-24 months, depending on planning complexity) includes obtaining all statutory approvals, preparing a set of fully detailed Tender documents, and preparing an accurate pre-tender cost plan. During the planning application, Requests for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority and possible third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála can considerably lengthen the process.
Stage 3 - Tender Action, Evaluation and Award (approx. 12 months). On the completion of the examination of tenders, written authorisation of the Department must be obtained before issuing Letter of Intent and Letter of Acceptance. Once all the contract pre-conditions in the letter of intent have been met and the Department has given written authorisation to procced to Contract, a letter of Acceptance can be issued. This forms the contract and is the date for calculation of the Contract period.
Stage 4 – Construction (approx. 12 to 24 months) All members of the Design Team are collectively responsible for the effective management of the project in order to achieve its completion on time and within budget.
Stage 5 - Handover of Works and Final Account (12 months minimum). The Design team individually and collectively are required to effectively manage the Project, and with co-operation of the Contractor achieve a satisfactory standard of Construction and achieve Substantial Completion of all elements of the Projects by the Contract Section/Phase handover dates and overall Contract Completion Date.
In order for a pipeline project to move from one stage to the next, confirmation is required that the project is compliant with all technical and cost requirements relevant to that project stage. Other factors that influence the timing for progress include the relative prioritisation of the project and the timing of affordability within annual NDP funding parameters, taking account of overall programme requirements.
Delays can on occasion occur due to factors beyond the department’s control, for example challenges in acquiring a site, planning permission issues, procurement difficulties or adverse weather while the project is at construction. Such issues are not unique to the school building programme and the department manages such challenges as they arise.
Overall, my department endeavours to manage the school building programme, across an estate incorporating 4,000 schools, to ensure that projects are delivered to meet the most urgent needs in the shortest possible timeframe.
The current status of all projects is set out, under item number ten, at the following link www.gov.ie This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
