Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the current position regarding the major building project for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire in Parnell Square. The Minister and the Department of Education and Youth are fully committed to delivering a new school building for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire as quickly as possible. Department officials are in regular contact with the school authorities, meeting approximately every six weeks or more frequently when required.

The Minister and her Department are committed to continuing this support for the school. This project is included in the Department's construction programme and is being delivered under the national development plan as part of Project Ireland 2040. A number of issues arose on site at the outset, which is not unusual given the nature of a brownfield city centre site, but this led to a delay. While all parties actively engaged to discuss and resolve the issues and to reduce any risk to the programme, these unforeseen matters did lead to a delay.

In response to issues on the site, the Department sanctioned the appointment of a project manager on the project, who has engaged with the design team and contractor to minimise project delays on the programme and ensure clear lines of communication were in operation. The appointed project manager developed various proposals and strategies to remedy any issues impacting the programme, realigning the full project team roles and agreeing the project delivery timelines and goals.

Good progress was initially made following the project manager’s intervention in the summer of 2024 to the end of the year, with significant visible progress being made on the structure.

However, since Christmas the project issues have intensified. The Department has had ongoing engagement with the contractor and the design team to resolve these issues. As a result, the Department entered into a conciliation hearing to try to reach agreement on a solution to ensure the earliest possible delivery of the school while respecting its statutory obligations.

In accordance with standard practice and contractual requirements, the conciliation process is of a confidential nature. A temporary pause on works under the suspension of works provisions of the contract provided an opportunity to consider outcomes from the conciliation process. A notice of suspension of works was communicated to the contractor on 23 May 2025 in accordance with the provisions of the contract. During the suspension, the Department carefully considered the best way to deliver a school building while also respecting its statutory obligations. A notice of termination was issued under the contract on 1 July 2025 following careful consideration of the need to ensure compliance with those statutory obligations. Department officials will continue to work closely with the school principal and board of management.

As an interim measure, the Department is providing accommodation more suitable to the current needs of the school nearby on Cathal Brugha Street. I am informed the school has provided information to parents recently about these next steps for the school. Some small-scale refurbishment works at the building will provide a good interim accommodation solution for the school and include teaching and learning spaces for all the classes, education support and sensory spaces, adequate meeting and office spaces, a staff room, a communal area and access to a safe outdoor space for students. It is anticipated the school will move into the new premises after the October 2025 mid-term break. The Minister and the Department are fully committed to delivering a school building for this school as soon as possible.

See this speech in context