Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A number of Deputies have raised this matter in the House. I note Deputy Brendan Smith has similarly tabled a question on this issue, which we will come to shortly. The Department is aware of the local concern.

6 o’clock

I do not need to tell the Deputy that a number of matters caused the delay which were not within the control of the Department. A consultant mechanical and electrical engineer was replaced on the design team. As the Deputy is aware, the original proposal was different from the current one. It was based on a two-phase construction programme, but it was decided at the request of the school that this should be changed and we now have a different proposal, which is advancing. The delays in the stage 2B report were caused by omissions, the details of which the Department requires. I am pleased to say the problems identified with the first submission have been addressed but the report has to be fully reviewed. The Department has to provide objective reviews to make sure that this project, when approved and released to tender, will be constructed in a way that meets the timeframe and all the other requirements. This process must be done thoroughly. Neither I nor the building unit is in any doubt about the urgency of this case.

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