Dáil debates

Thursday, 16 May 2019

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Schools Building Projects Status

2:25 pm

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry. I will just continue.

The current status of the project is that the design team has recently been authorised to recommence the pre-qualification of contractors process to select shortlists of contractors for the main contract. The notice was published on the e-tenders platform on 26 April, with responses due on 27 May 2019. When the pre-qualification process for the main contract and reserved specialists contracts is complete, the project will be progressed to tender stage. A tender stage normally takes, as Deputy O'Loughlin said, between seven and eight months to complete.

Pending the delivery of the major building project, the Department earlier this year sanctioned additional temporary accommodation for this year and next year, which will be delivered by the design team. Additional off-site car parking has also recently been approved by the Department to facilitate the school until the new building has been completed. Department officials have met twice with school representatives in recent months and continue to be in regular contact with the school regarding the progression of this major building project. The Minister, Deputy McHugh, has recently agreed a date with the school for a visit, which is scheduled to take place early in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Regarding the site acquisition, legal representatives for both parties are working together with a view to concluding the conveyancing. There continues to be progress on foot of close and intense engagement from all parties. All parties continue the work to ensure the acquisition is completed at the earliest possible date. At this point it is not anticipated that the completion of conveyancing will impact on the timelines for delivery of the building project. The Department is fully committed to completing the project as soon as possible.

I will come back on some of the Deputy's other comments.

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