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

InspiredSpaces is the special purpose vehicle, SPV, that was set up to deliver the schools bundle 5 PPP project, which involves the construction and operation of five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Kells and Carlow.

Carillion Private Finance is a 50% shareholder in InspiredSpaces, together with the Dutch Infrastructure Fund, DIF. The construction subcontract was with Carillion Construction Limited while the services subcontract was with Carillion (Ambs) Limited. As both Carillion Construction Limited and Carillion (Ambs) Limited have entered liquidation, the construction and services agreements relating to the project have been terminated and must now be replaced.

In accordance with the terms of the PPP contract, it falls to InspiredSpaces in the first instance to put in place the necessary rectification measures to ensure delivery and operation of the school buildings. Although Carillion Private Finance is not in liquidation, its directors have mandated DIF to act on behalf of InspiredSpaces in putting in place the rectification plan in consultation with the project funders. DIF has indicated that a number of contractors and service providers have been invited to quote for finishing the works outstanding on the relevant buildings and for the provision of facilities management services over the 25-year lifetime of the project. It expects to receive final bids from tenderers, with whom it has already had extensive engagement, by early April.

Based on this, the expected timeframe for the evaluation of tenders and the appointment and mobilisation of the successful contractor and facilities management company, DIF is targeting all six buildings to be operational for the beginning of the coming school year, with the most advanced schools to be delivered earlier in the summer.

The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, is continuing to engage actively with DIF as the rectification plan is implemented. DIF has confirmed that, in conjunction with its lenders, it will deploy all necessary resources towards achieving the target dates outlined.

Officials from my Department and the NDFA most recently met representatives of all affected schools on 14 March in Tullamore. A senior DIF representative also attended that meeting in order to provide a full update on its plan to secure delivery and operation of the six facilities as soon as possible.

I am not aware of any contract undertaken by other Departments with Carillion.

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