Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prioritise the development of a new school (details supplied) in the interest of staff and pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31576/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware from Deputy Phelan's answer to her last week of the current status of this project.

The Stage 2(b) Detailed Design Report was recently submitted to my Department by the Board of Management and its Design Team. Following receipt of that submission, my Department authorised the Board of Management to instruct its Design Team to commence the pre-qualification process for the assessment of suitably qualified contractors to which the project can be tendered. This authorisation was granted by my Department in order to expedite the tender process for this project by running the pre-qualification in tandem with the finalisation of Stage 2(b). The Design Team has commenced this process and the closing date for the e-tenders advertisement was 19 June 2017. The Design Team has informed my Department that it expects to complete its assessment of the pre-qualification submissions in the coming weeks and will then submit its report on the shortlist of contractors to my Department.

Following examination of the Stage 2(b) Report, it became apparent that the submission was incomplete and some additional items which should have been included in the original submission, were requested by my Department. A revised submission has been received which is currently under review. Upon completion of the review of the revised 2(b) submission my Department will immediately revert to the school with a timeframe to proceed to tender and construction stage.

The Stage 2(b) submission is an extremely vital part in the design process and is the final stage prior to the seeking of tenders for the construction of the school building.