Written answers

Thursday, 4 November 2010

Department of Education and Science

Schools Building Projects

2:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the funding for a building project for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has been approved; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school operates out of prefabricated classrooms which are no longer fit for purpose; when she expects construction to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40968/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a school building project to provide additional accommodation. In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project for this school has been assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for the school in question at this time.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the schools under construction for the State in Kildare and in Athboy, County Meath, by a contractor (details supplied) who has now ceased trading; if the contracts will be assigned to a new contractor to complete the building projects; if all outstanding creditors will be paid when these contracts are assigned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40975/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Kildare Town Community School and Athboy Community School are included in the 2nd bundle of primary/post-primary projects being provided under my Department's PPP programme. The other schools in the bundle are Bantry Community College and Gaelscoil Bantry, Co. Cork, Abbeyfeale Community College, Co. Limerick, Wicklow Town Community College.

The Macquarie Partnership for Ireland (MPFI) consortium was awarded the contract for the delivery of the 6 schools in early June 2010 and construction works commenced immediately. Under the contract all schools are due to be completed in late 2011. The contract provides that should there be any difficulties in relation to a contractor being unable to continue the consortium must make alternative arrangements to deliver the schools. I understand that the National Development Finance Agency is in consultation with the consortium on this matter and arrangements are already in place to provide for the continuation of the construction of the schools.

As you are aware the High Court appointed an interim Examiner to the contractor in question on Tuesday 12th October, 2010 and I understand that the contractor is continuing to trade while in interim examinership. The responsibility for the management of issues which may arise in connection with the delivery of the schools in this bundle rests with Macquarie Partnerships for Ireland.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if any further new secondary school building projects will be offered to the market as part of a public private partnership bundle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40980/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware the 3rd bundle of primary/post-primary schools to be delivered under my Department's Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme was offered to the market in early August 2010. This bundle comprises seven post-primary and one primary school.

The eight schools are Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Ballinamore Community School, Co Leitrim, Doughiska Community College, Co Galway, new post-primary school Gorey, Co Wexford, Tramore Secondary School, Co Waterford, Athlone Community College, Co Westmeath, Doon /Cappamore Secondary School, Co Limerick and a new primary school in Doughiska Co. Galway. The 1st bundle of 4 PPP schools became operational in September 2010 and the 2nd Bundle of 8 schools is currently in construction.

While I have no immediate plans to announce any further bundles, my Department will continue to assess the potential to utilising PPPs as one of the methods of procurement for the delivery of new school buildings at both primary and post-primary levels.

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