Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school's building project cannot proceed to pre-qualification stage (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32925/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school in question is included in my Departments six year construction programme 2016-21 and is scheduled therein to commence construction in 2017.

The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b), which includes the applications for the Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. Planning Permission and the Disability Certificate have been secured. The Design Team recently responded to a further information request from the Local Authority in respect of the Fire Certificate application and a decision on the application is awaited from the Local Authority. In September, the Design Team was also requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes.

Until all statutory approvals have been received and the Design Team has submitted its proposals in respect of the PWC changes, it would be premature to consider approval to commence pre-qualification of Contractors.