Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a project (details supplied) will proceed to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14756/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The school was recently authorised to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. Subject to no issues arising it is anticipated that construction will commence in the second quarter of 2018.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the opening of the schools impacted by the collapse of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14773/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The schools referred to by the Deputy form part of Schools Bundle 5, the PPP project which has been impacted by the liquidation of Carillion. 

The Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF), representing the PPP Company responsible for delivery of Schools Bundle 5, is currently implementing a rectification plan to secure service commencement on the five school buildings and one further education college as soon as possible. 

DIF has indicated that a number of contractors/service providers have now been invited to quote for finishing the works outstanding on the relevant buildings and for the provision of facilities management services over the 25-year life of the project. It expects to receive final bids from tenderers, with whom it has already had extensive engagement, by early April. 

Based on this, and the expected timeframe for the evaluation of tenders, and appointment and mobilisation of the new contractor/service providers, DIF is targeting all six buildings to be operational for the beginning of the coming school year, with the most advanced schools to be delivered earlier in the summer.

DIF has confirmed that, in conjuction with its lenders, it will deploy all necessary resources towards achieving these target dates.