CONSTRUCTION MARKET ANALYSIS
Artist’s impression of a £7.4m development for Gaelscoil and Naíscoil Éanna in Glengormley, Co Antrim, which was awarded planning permission in February.
WITH 41 EDUCATION PROJECTS TOTALLING 758 CLASSROOMS GETTING UNDERWAY IN NORTHERN IRELAND OVER THE PAST 24 MONTHS, CIS COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR DAVE THOMPSON EVALUATES THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET ACROSS THE ISLAND OF IRELAND… Building for the future
Education is a significant part of the overall Irish construction market, representing around 4.5% of the total Irish construction output over the last five years. In 2023 there was over €800m worth of education projects started, driven by investment in both the school and higher education estate. A surge in pupil numbers is driving strong demand for school places, creating an urgent need for additional facilities. Over the last 24 months, the sector has seen a steady trend in planning application volumes, with an average of 40 planning schemes lodged each quarter, resulting in a total of 2,300 classrooms submitted for approval over the past two years. EDUCATION PROJECTS BOOM ACROSS IRELAND Primary and secondary schools make up a significant part of the Irish construction market and require greater investment due to rising pupil numbers. The largest in the short-term pipeline is the €15.3m development at St Farnan’s
Post Primary School in Prosperous, Co Kildare. Designed by McCarthy O’Hora and Associates, this project will deliver 60 new classrooms and is expected to get the green light by Q3/Q4 2024. Meanwhile, the education sector in Northern Ireland has shown consistent planning application volumes, with an average of 17 schemes lodged each quarter over the past 24 months. However, the total number of classrooms submitted in Northern Ireland, at 327, is significantly lower compared to RoI’s 2,300. The largest education project submitted for planning in Northern Ireland this year is the £33m redevelopment of Hazelwood College in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. Designed by McAdam Design, this project includes a new school campus, sports pitches and the refurbishment of Graymount House. A planning decision is anticipated later this year. Dave Thompson, Commercial Director at CIS, said, “These investments go beyond building classrooms, they’re pivotal in strengthening our education infrastructure and driving local economic
Dave Thompson, Commercial Director at CIS.
growth through job creation and boosting local businesses.” In the Republic of Ireland, an average of 39 education schemes have received planning approval each quarter, including the €15.6m Loreto Secondary School in Bray, Co Wicklow. Designed by Moloney O’Beirne Architects, this innovative project will deliver 56 new classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities. Northern Ireland is also making significant strides. While the numbers are smaller, with an average of 16 schemes approved each quarter over the past two years, the impact is no less significant. This totals 289 classrooms, which is about 12% of the volume approved in the Republic. The spotlight here is on the £7.4m development for Gaelscoil and Naíscoil Éanna in Glengormley, Co Antrim. This project, expected to take around 15 months to complete, will create seven new classrooms.
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