Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Martin for bringing this important issue to the floor of the Seanad and, indeed, for his detailed overview of the situation as it faces Mercy Convent Primary School in Naas, County Kildare. As the Senator has already alluded to, I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, who is unfortunately detained in other wider Government business. She has asked me to outline some of the details for the benefit of the House, all of which are more than familiar to Senator Martin.

The major building project for Mercy Convent Primary School is included in the Minister's departmental construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan. The entire project brief is the completion contract for a new 32-classroom school, with two classrooms for children with special needs and ancillary accommodation, together with all associated site works.

The design team's stage 2b confirmations on the completion of the prefabrication process were completed in March 2023, and the project commenced its tender stage at that point. Tenders were returned in July 2023. A tender report was received by the Department of Education in September 2023 and is currently under review. As the Senator has alluded to, a letter has been issued. Yet, as he knows, that is not the end of the process. The wider process will take 12 months to complete from the point of July 2023. The Senator asked for a concrete timeline, and I think we are very much in the endgame of the tender process. It is required to be completed by July at the very latest. I am sure the Senator knows as well as I do that it should be done much sooner, and it will be done much sooner. I cannot give him a precise date, but I can give him the broad finishing point.

When the approval to proceed with construction is issued, however, the design team estimates it will take approximately 15 months to complete the construction of this school, all-in. I very much hope that Senator Martin will not have to bring this issue to the floor of the Seanad again. I think we are in sight of having the tender process completely concluded. Thereafter, the 15-month period can get cracking as soon as possible.

I will endeavour to bring the comments the Senator made here this afternoon to the Minister, Deputy Foley, in a speedy manner. If any further follow-up is needed by letter, I will ensure it is passed on to the Senator’s office.