Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

To recap, the project brief was for a large-scale capital project, namely the construction of a 16-classroom primary school consisting of a four-storey, 13-classroom block with ancillary rooms facing Dominick Street, a five-storey block with administration, services, library and resource rooms on the corner of Dominick Place and Dominick Street, an elevated first floor bridge block containing three classrooms facing Dominick Place and a general purpose hall with a basement for services to the rear of the site at Granby Row. The site is an area of archaeological interest and abuts a protected structure owned and occupied by Youth Work Ireland. That was the project brief, as the Deputy knows. It sounds like a very complex build.

As I said, a number of issues arose on site at the outset, which is not unusual given the nature of the brownfield site. These included several services on-site, including electrical lines and services related to the adjacent Luas line which were not apparent until excavation began. There was also an issue with the foundations of an adjoining protected building that required careful consideration. While all parties actively engaged to discuss and resolve the issues and reduce the risk to the programme, these unforeseen matters delayed it, as the Deputy knows. It is now prudent to plan on the basis the provision of the new school building will be unavoidably delayed. However, the Department is assessing all options open to it to expedite the delivery of the new school building, as I have previously outlined, and it is in regular contact with the school authorities.

I will convey the Deputy’s sentiments. He has raised it, he has articulated it very well and I understand. We all deal with school issues and they are very important for the children and the entire school community. It is hugely important to them and I understand that. It is not unique; it happens all over the country. That is not diminishing the importance of this case. I will convey the Deputy’s frustration and that of the community.

See this speech in context