Major projects in Third Level PPP Programme will deliver in key areas – Hanafin
Major building projects in nine Higher Education institutions moved a step closer today with the announcement by the Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin T.D., that the projects have been grouped into three distinct bundles with tender documentation for the first grouping, involving four third level colleges, being prepared immediately.
Minister Hanafin said the progression of these various projects will see consortiums contracted to design, build, finance and operate each of the developments over a 25 year period as part of the Government’s €270 million Third Level Institutions PPP Programme. The building projects will deliver enhanced facilities in the key strategic areas such as Engineering, IT, Science and Technology, Catering, Tourism and the Arts.
The 17 Public Private Partnership projects in nine Third Level Institutions are to be offered to the market in the following bundles:
1st Bundle
Limerick Institute of Technology - Library Information Resource Centre
University of Limerick - Library Phase 2
Cork Institute of Technology - Library Extension
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology - Digital Media Teaching Building, Consolidated Workshops and Multi Purpose Hall.
2nd Bundle
Waterford Institute of Technology - Engineering and Science Building, Architecture Building and Business and Enterprise Extension.
Institute of Technology Tallaght - Catering & Tourism Building, Multi Purpose Centre, Engineering Building.
3rd Bundle
National University of Ireland, Maynooth - Mathematical Sciences & Computer Centre
Carlow Institute of Technology - Teaching Research wing, New Administration & Support Centre
Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology - Engineering School
Criteria for selection of the bundles
The criteria for selection of these projects has been worked out in consultation with the Higher Education Authority and all the projects listed were identified as priorities in the Kelly Report and are in key strategic areas.
Minister Hanafin said that the Department will immediately commence the pre-procurement process for the first bundle and will shortly begin stakeholder meetings with each of the individual institutions.
“These meetings will include management, staff, students, trade unions and other interested relevant local individuals or groups and will provide a detailed explanation of the PPP procurement process and the role of the individual institutions in the bundled project.” Work on the pre procurement of the 2nd and 3rd will commence within 6 months and 12 respectively.
Minister Hanafin said that each of the bundles will be procured for the Department of Education and Science by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).
The NDFA are in the process of finalising contract negotiations with the Preferred Tenderer for the 1st bundle of Post Primary schools. Pre procurement of the 2nd bundle of schools is ongoing and Minister Hanafin expects to be in a position to hand over this bundle to the NDFA for procurement in early 2008.
15th January 2008
