James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of tenders received and the difference in price there was for the development of the proposed new national child detention facility for young offenders at Lusk, County Dublin; when it is expected that the tender will be awarded; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40293/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In June 2008 the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform undertook a tendering process to appoint an architect led design team for the development of a new national children detention school. An Evaluation Board was established to assess the 11 bids received in response to the tender request, and a Process Auditor was appointed to oversee the process.

Prior to any decision being made with regard to identifying a preferred bidder, it was decided on foot of advice from members of the Evaluation Board to terminate the tendering process and to consider re-tendering. In the meantime discussions took place with the OPW with regard to that office's possible role with the bringing forward of the project. The OPW indicated that in light of recent developments it is now in a position to undertake the design process on behalf of the IYJS. Those firms which submitted bids in response to the tender request have been notified that the tender process has now been terminated. The decision to avail of the resources now available from the OPW will ensure that the IYJS achieve best value for money from the Exchequer funding allocated to progress the project.

The OPW will now liaise with the IYJS and with the detention schools to develop the design for the new facilities in order to tender for the construction element of the project in mid 2009 at which stage the development costs of the project will be known. Construction will take place over 2 phases in order to ensure that the existing detention schools can continue to operate and provide places to the Courts until such time as the new facilities are available. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in 2012 and Phase 2 in 2014.