Education Buildings Ireland 2026

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

RDS

Royal Dublin Society - the Dublin venue complex hosting Education Buildings Ireland 2026 in Hall 2.

2

Future Leaders Programme

A dedicated Education Buildings Ireland programme strand aimed at emerging talent in the education construction sector.

3

Sofa Session

A conversational conference format used at Education Buildings Ireland, covering themes such as enhancing teaching and learning with the built environment.

4

Department of Education

The Irish government department responsible for education policy, funding, and the school building programme, including delivery of new schools and major refurbishments.

5

ETB (Education and Training Board)

Regional statutory bodies in Ireland that manage and operate further education and training, including some school and campus facilities, and are key clients for education building projects.

6

SOLAS

The Further Education and Training Authority in Ireland, which funds and coordinates further education and training programmes delivered through ETBs, influencing campus and facility requirements.

7

NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building)

An EU-mandated building standard requiring very high energy performance, applied to new school and education building projects in Ireland to reduce operational carbon.

8

BER (Building Energy Rating)

An Irish certificate that rates the energy performance of a building on a scale from A to G, required for new and existing buildings and relevant to education building retrofits.

9

Public Works Contract

The standard suite of contracts published by the Office of Government Procurement for Irish public sector construction projects, including education buildings, setting out risk and payment terms.

10

Modular Construction

Off-site manufacturing of building modules that are transported and assembled on site, increasingly used for rapid delivery of school classrooms and campus extensions.

11

Universal Design

A design approach that ensures buildings and environments are accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability, or other factors, a key consideration in education building projects.

12

Part L

The section of the Irish Building Regulations that sets energy efficiency and carbon emission standards for buildings, including schools and colleges.

13

Design and Build

A procurement route where a single contractor is responsible for both design and construction, commonly used for education sector projects in Ireland.

14

Framework Agreement

A procurement arrangement that establishes terms and conditions for multiple contracts over a set period, often used by the Department of Education and ETBs for school building works.

15

SEN (Special Educational Needs)

Educational provision for students with additional learning needs, requiring specific design considerations in school buildings such as sensory rooms and accessible facilities.