Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the impact of the collapse of a company (details supplied) on the opening of schools in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The schools referred to by the Deputy form part of the current Schools Bundle 5 PPP programme. In respect of that programme, a contract exists between my Department and the Principal contractor, Inspiredspaces. Inspiredspaces is the name of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for the design, construction, finance, operation and maintenance of the programme.

It is important to note that Inspiredspaces remains in place as the SPV responsible for delivery of Schools Bundle 5. The other 50% shareholder in the SPV is the Dutch Infrastructure Fund, DIF.

The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is responsible for management of the PPP contract on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. The NDFA is currently engaging with DIF in relation to next steps. Every effort is being made to ensure delivery of the schools in as timely a manner as possible.