06 March 2008 - Ruane unveils new approach to school building Projects

This ambitious building programme, worth over £500million, will now be delivered through the Department of Education’s new major capital works framework, which was unveiled during a launch event at Castle Gardens Primary School in Newtownards.

Speaking to an audience, which included the construction companies who will work with the Department and the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) to deliver the programme, the Minister underlined the significance of the announcement. Ms Ruane said: “Today represents a major step forward for our capital investment programme. With the introduction of this major works framework, we are rising to the challenge of delivering significant investment in the schools estate, by providing the vehicle for getting projects on the ground more quickly and efficiently than ever.

“I congratulate those contractors and their design teams who are joining us in this important partnership. This framework will provide much greater transparency and therefore confidence in the business opportunities that we will bring to them. Together we can all now focus on delivering tangible benefits for the pupils and staff in our schools.

“The Executive’s Investment Strategy makes it clear that in inviting procurement of infrastructure programmes we will seek opportunities to promote social inclusion and equality of opportunity. It is clearly envisaged that we will do this through the use of employment plans, building opportunities for local apprenticeships into major delivery contracts and through a tendering process that prioritises the most economically advantageous option.”

The frameworks approach embodies a partnering type ethos, permitting earlier engagement between the designer, the contractor and the client thereby delivering high quality schools whilst providing value for money.

Contractors on this framework, who have been chosen through a challenging tendering process, will work in partnership with the client to ensure that the schools modernisation programme is delivered on time and in budget.

In welcoming the Minister’s comments David Gavaghan, Chief Executive of SIB, added: “This approach streamlines the procurement process and means that once decisions are made about individual schools we move quickly to the next stage. The important thing to focus on is that we create an education experience fit for the 21st century which will inspire and create a sense of pride amongst our young people and future generations.

The first project to pass through the framework is the Lisnagelvin Primary School project. This is a new, 21 classroom primary school with an estimated construction value in excess of £4million.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Department of Education’s new major capital works framework has been established following an independent review of the schools modernisation programme. From now on major works (defined as works costing over £500k) will be delivered via this major works framework by contractors and their design teams who have been chosen through a tendering process.

2. The Department currently has a sizeable number of major works projects approved for investment. Over £500m worth of projects are expected to be eligible for procurement through frameworks. These projects are at various stages of development, so some of the projects will proceed to the framework as “construction-only schemes” and others will be “design and build”.

3. The eight successful lead contractors and their design teams on the frameworks are as follows (not in any specific order):

4. The framework was legally formed on the 25 February 2008 and the first project specific secondary competition issued on 5 March 2008.

5. For media enquiries contact the Department of Education Press Office, Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.