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

I thank Deputy Lawless for raising this issue. Clearly, this is a very disappointing state of affairs. Nobody could have anticipated the Sammon Group going into liquidation but that is the situation in which we find ourselves. We have taken immediate steps to get this project back on track. Unfortunately, however, the implications of a change of contract are serious. I do not want to understate the amount of work that has to be done in this regard. The Deputy will understand that no builder would take over the project without the correct and detailed specifications and the schedule of works and drawings, and without certainty as to what is to be carried out. The State has to have such certainty in regard to what it is tendering. Therefore, a substantial amount of work has to be done. I have briefly summarised it in the statement that has been circulated. Surveys have to be completed and works need to be undertaken. This leads to an identification of the works remaining to be carried out by a new contractor. This is detailed work. This work is followed by revised drawings, together with updated work schedules. Tender documents based on the revised work schedules and drawings are prepared. The works are tendered to the market for a new contractor.

I would love to be able to tell the Deputy that this is simple and fast work. It has to be done painstakingly and accurately. My officials have met the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and its design team. We have a good team in place. It is working hard to limit the time it will take to deliver this project. A critical path has been worked out, with very tight timelines for the various elements.

In order to speed things up, we have agreed that a pre-qualification process for new contractors can be engaged in while the survey work is being done. Therefore, there will not be a hold-up in that regard. A tender notice has been published on the e-tenders website seeking expressions of interest from contractors wishing to be considered for the completion of the project.

Another notable development is that the design team has made arrangements to have the precast work in the main structure and the steelwork on the roofs completed, and this is expected to be done by August. This arrangement will mean the superstructure will be completed and certified and a neat site can be handed over to a new contractor. We believe that will help to accelerate the delivery of the project.

In the meantime, the identification of all other outstanding works to complete both schools is ongoing to make ready for the tendering among the pre-qualified contractors in due course. The current works programme indicates a re-tendering of the project to pre-qualified contractors towards the end of this year with a view to having a contractor back on site by the end of March 2019.

My Department has been closely liaising with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board to develop matters and it will continue to liaise with the board until the project satisfactorily reaches completion. Officials are also working with the board to ensure the needs of the two schools in their existing accommodation are met until their new accommodation is available.

I acknowledge this is a disappointment to people. Maynooth is an area I know very well. As Deputy Lawless said, I was present when the site was opened and noted the optimism that accompanied the opening. It is disappointing that we had a setback but I am confident that the team we have in place will get this major project back on track. It is the largest project of this kind ever undertaken by the State, with 2,000 pupil places. We will endeavour to get it back on track as quickly as possible.

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