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Speech For Brian Lenihan, T.D. Minister for Children At the Ceremony to turn the First Sod for the New Primary School in Adamstown

Friday 17th November 2006 - Adamstown, Lucan, Co. Dublin

Introduction

I am delighted to be here today, on what, it is no exaggeration to say, is a truly historic day: - 

• for urban planning
• for South County Dublin
• and for the Department of Education and Science’s school building programme

You are all aware of the unique development that is Adamstown – the first Strategic Development Zone in the State.  One of its major selling points, if I can call it that, is the commitment, indeed obligation, to provide facilities such as schools, transport and public amenities in line with the phased provision of housing.

Today we see the Department of Education and Science ‘stepping up to the plate’, as it were, to play its part in ensuring that the Adamstown development lives up to its potential and promise.

Provision of School Accommodation at Adamstown

• Three sites have been allocated for new schools in the Adamstown Planning Scheme and these will potentially accommodate one second-level and three primary schools.
• Today we are marking the start of the first of two primary schools which are to be located on this site.

Rapid Pace of Change in Newly Developing Areas

We have seen how our economic success has put increased pressure on all State infrastructure and facilities.  I have first hand experience, across the Liffey in parts of Dublin 15, where the rapid scale of development and a surge in population growth has meant a marked increase in the demand for school places. 
 
The Department has made significant interventions, in terms of providing additional school places combined with radical changes in how projects are planned, to tackle this issue.

We are now delivering a record school building programme which is transforming the standard of school accommodation throughout the country.

Between 2000 and 2005, over €2 billion was spent on educational infrastructure on over 6,500 individual school building projects.

In 2006 the Department is funding the delivery of some 1,300 school building projects with an investment this year of over €500m and the Department's 5 year multi-annual capital envelope, which currently amounts to a total of €3.9 billion, will enable the Department to continue to take a pro-active approach to modernising school accommodation.

 The Adamstown Development

Here at Adamstown we see one of the radical changes in how new projects are planned.   The Department of Education and Science has worked closely with South Dublin County Council and the Adamstown Developer Consortium to produce an integrated solution to education and community facilities that matches the delivery of new housing.

The two new primary schools on this site will be delivered using the Design and Build method at an anticipated cost of almost €10 million.   We have seen the successful use of this in Lucan already, in the Educate Together primary school at Griffeen Valley.  The major advantage of this is a considerable saving in the length of time it takes to complete the project.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I wish every success to all involved in this innovative project: -

• Chartridge, the Adamstown Developer Consortium
• The Contractor for the schools, Glasgiven Contracts Ltd
• South Dublin County Council as the Development Agency.

I look forward to seeing the fruit of your labours in 2007.