Up to 3,300 construction jobs could be created by the Government’s €900 million school building programme in 2009, Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe claimed today.
Some €580 million will be used to build new primary and post-primary schools as well as upgrading existing facilities while the higher education sector will have an allocation of €265 million.
The overall multi-million euro building programme has seen a 15 per cent funding increase compared with 2008.
“Some economic commentators work to the principle that every €255,000 of investment in construction activity is likely to generate a single job,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
“Applying this theory to my capital programme should ensure that around 3,300 construction jobs will be secured this year.”
Several schools are expected to be built in 2009 as part of the public-private partnership (PPP) programme.
Mr O’Keeffe said he was determined to ensure that the state secures better value for money in the procurement and construction of schools and other educational facilities.
“Value for money in the delivery of the capital programme is essential to ensure that the maximum benefit accrues to maximum number of schools and institutions, their pupils and students, teachers and academic staff, parents and, not least, taxpayers who ultimately foot the bill for the Government’s capital programme.”