Written answers

Thursday, 30 June 2005

Department of Education and Science

Schools of Music

8:00 pm

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 587: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of progress on the Cork School of Music project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23560/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 710 of 28 June 2005.

I am happy to provide the Deputy with information on the recent progress made on this project. On 3 December 2004, Jarvis, which was appointed preferred bidder for the Cork School of Music project, announced that it had reached agreement with Hochtief Developments (UK) Ltd to purchase the PPP bidding arm of its business. Following the announcement, various issues surrounding the purchase were being completed and a revised proposal and documentation in connection with the project were received on 19 January 2005.

As Hochtief had replaced Jarvis as the main member of the bidding consortium it had to satisfy the Department that had it applied under the terms of the original PPP advertised in 2000 it would have been one of the consortiums that pre-qualified for the project. In addition to satisfying the pre-qualification conditions and in advance of any formal contract negotiations, in recent months my Department's specialist advisers to the project had to undertake a full financial and legal due diligence to ensure that the new proposal met all EU procurement guidelines. Part of the due diligence process included contact with the relevant section of the EU Commission for clarification and advice on the procurement issue surrounding the change to the bidding consortiums.

Formal detailed contract negotiations are now at an advanced stage and, subject to the satisfactory completion of these negotiations, I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the project in the near future.

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