Seven new PPP schools to be built

Seven new schools are to be constructed under the Department of Education's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme, it was announced this morning.

Six of the new educational institutions are post-primary schools while one is a primary school.

The schools are to be constructed in counties Donegal, Leitrim, Galway, Wexford, Waterford and Westmeath and are expected to be completed by 2012.

Minister for Education Batt O'Keefe, who announced the new schools this morning said they would provide places for over 4,800 pupils.

As well as entering into a contract to design, build and fund the projects, the private sector partner has responsibility for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds over the 25-year life of the contract and to manage and pay for the schools’ premises services such as cleaning and security over that period.

The schools to be constructed are Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co Donegal; Ballinamore Community School, Co Leitrim; Doughiska Community College, Co Galway, on a shared campus with a new local primary school; Tramore Community School, Co Waterford; Athlone Community College, Co Westmeath; and a new build in Gorey, Co Wexford.

This is the third bundle of schools to be built under the Department of Education's PPP programme.

The first, which was announced in November 2005 comprised Banagher College-Coláiste na Síonna; Gallen Community School, Ferbane; Scoil Chríost Ri, Portlaoise; and St Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise.

The second bundle of primary and post-primary projects was announced in November 2006 and included Bantry Community College and Gaelscoil Bheanntraí, Co Cork; Kildare Town Community School; Abbeyfeale Community College; Athboy Community School; and Wicklow Town Community College.