Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Cassells for raising this issue. I understand his frustration. I have heard him raise this issues on many occasions previously. I hope I will be able to give a little clarity on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, who is unavailable and unable to be here this morning. I thank the Senator for giving me an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position relating to the major building project for St. Mary's Special School in Navan, County Meath. The new school, when complete, will be part of a shared campus with Coláiste na Mí and the already completed St. Stephen's National School.

The project will deliver the phase 2 completion for Coláiste na Mí and a new 11-classroom special school building for St. Mary's with associated ancillary accommodation to cater for pupils with a range of learning disabilities. Senator Cassells referred to the almost 100 children we are talking about.

In December 2018, the project completed stage 2(a), developed design, and was subsequently authorised to proceed to stage 2(b), detailed design, which normally includes the applications for planning permission, a fire certificate and a disability access certificate as well as the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission for this particular project was sought earlier than usual in the architectural planning process during stage 2(a) as a means to identify any potential planning issues which might arise.

Earlier this year, the Department reviewed and approved a brief change request relating to traffic management and this has now been incorporated by the design team into the tender documentation. In June 2020 the Department received further brief change requests and the stage 2(b) submission for this project. The review of the stage 2(b) tender documentation is currently nearing completion. When this review is complete, the project will be progressed to tender and construction stages.

In order to expedite the progression of this major building project, the Department has authorised the school and its design team to commence the pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors while the Department is reviewing the stage 2(b) submission. The design team submitted a draft pre-qualification report to the Department last week and the Department has this week authorised the design team to complete the pre-qualification process. Subject to the review of the stage 2(b) submission, no issues arising and completion of the pre-qualification process, the Department of Education, on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, will contact Louth and Meath Education and Training Board and the board of management of St. Mary's Special School with regard to the further progression of the project to tender and construction stages.