Conventional Schools

1.13  In line with the objectives of the Review and as a recommendation from the C&AG report, the Review compares the Pilot Schools with a group of four Conventional Schools. The schools were selected by the DoE based on the time they were constructed and their locations.

1.14  The total Gross Internal Floor Area (GIFA) of the Conventional Schools is smaller than that of the Pilot PPP Schools (Figure 1.2). All financial comparisons are drawn on a Euro per metre square basis.

Figure 1.2 - GIFA by School

1.15  The Conventional Schools have been chosen as a comparator group to the Pilot PPP Schools, taking account of the absence of a Public Sector Benchmark for this project. Since the pilot programme of PPPs, frameworks have been developed and all potential PPP projects must complete a PSB comparison. This Review is unique in that it considers an actual operational comparator group, the services delivered, and the costs associated as opposed to a theoretical PSB. Reviews of the subsequent PPP School bundles would reference the existing PSB.

1.16  The Conventional Schools were developed by the DoE by way of traditional procurement using up-front Exchequer funding and external support, including the design team and contractors. Payment for the design and construction of these schools is on a pay as you go basis and is linked to progress and agreed milestones during the design and construction stages. Operational and maintenance matters are the remit of the school authorities with costs paid for directly by the school authorities from grants provided by the DoE and, in some cases, funding raised separately by school authorities. ETB operational and maintenance services are procured across schools under ETB governance, whereas other schools procure services individually. All Conventional Schools have a caretaker to deal with everyday maintenance issues and do not have a FM Contractor in place for delivery of all services.

1.17  There are two routes for schools to apply for funding to deliver major maintenance (replacement, overhaul or major repair) works that would be defined under the PPP Agreements as Lifecycle: The Emergency Works Grant and Summer Works Scheme. These funding routes require the schools to apply to the DoE for the funding; this is granted based on the applications' merits and the available funding at the time. Both funding routes prioritise need for the works and maintenance of educational provision along with consideration for the risk of not undertaking the works. Smaller-scale works may be funded by the schools using their capitation grants.

Table 1.3 - Conventional Schools Group