Updated 2026-09-15

Construction Costs

School Construction Cost Planning: Kilkenny, Ireland

Kilkenny school cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 152.8, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.

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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/IRL/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames IE dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/IE.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 2963398). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

Direct answer

For early school construction cost planning in Kilkenny, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Ireland construction price-level index of 152.8, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Kilkenny EUR/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Ireland in 2021; it does not measure a Kilkenny market basket or current school tenders. GeoNames 2963398 records the locality at 52.6542, -7.2522, with snapshot population 21,589. That ranks Kilkenny 26 of 50 listed places, while Carlow is the nearest listed peer at about 30 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.

Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.

What does the 152.8 construction index mean?

The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Ireland is 152.8, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that school work in Kilkenny costs 1.528 times a current world rate.

Which Kilkenny inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is 52.6542, -7.2522 (GeoNames 2963398). Its snapshot population is 21,589, ranked 26 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a second-order administrative seat in administrative area L. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

What must a project estimate add?

For a Kilkenny school project, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.

Estimate fieldScreening recordProject requirement
National contextICP 2021 PLI 152.8Retain only as dated cross-country context
Local EUR/m² rateNot suppliedCurrent comparable with named source and base date
Area and scopeGross floor area; scope unresolvedMeasurement standard, specification and procurement route
AdditionsNot suppliedTaxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation
ReviewAutomated source and arithmetic QAQualified local cost review

Kilkenny comparable-location search screen

This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.

Listed placeGreat-circle km from KilkennySnapshot populationAdmin area
Carlow3027,351L
Portlaoise4223,494L
Waterford4560,079M
Cluain Meala4518,369M
Wexford6521,524L
Balbriggan12821,722L
Greystones9622,009L
Sandyford9722,288L

Price-level normalization worksheet

For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (152.8 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 1.528; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.

InputRecorded valueRelease condition
Target national PLI152.8 (World = 100, 2021)Screening context only
Reference construction PLI PUser-supplied from the same ICP classification/yearMust match reference rate country
Validated reference rate RUser-suppliedNamed source, currency, date, area and scope
Local Kilkenny adjustmentNot assertedReplace with current local comparable evidence
Result statusScreening normalizationNot a budget, quote or tender estimate

Sources and method

National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames IE dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 2963398). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 152.8 index give a school cost per m² for Kilkenny?

No. 152.8 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Ireland, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Kilkenny EUR/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

How should a Kilkenny school estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current Kilkenny comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.

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