Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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207. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied) in County Cork; and when construction will commence. [27789/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's Capital Programme.

The project for this school has been identified for delivery as part of a programme for the appointment of a Programme Manager.  My Department expects to be in further contact with the school authority shortly on the matter.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the completion of schools and educational facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27792/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The liquidation of Carillion Construction affected five school buildings, including the school specifically referred to by the Deputy, and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells. These projects form the Schools Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. 

Following the liquidation of Carillion Construction Ltd, a tender process to identify a replacement contractor for the completion of the buildings has been carried out. I was pleased that I was able yesterday to welcome confirmation from DIF and the project lenders regarding the appointment of a replacement works contractor. This provides a clear pathway forward for the completion of all the schools in Schools Bundle 5 PPP Project.

In this respect, arrangements are being put in place for the appointment of a replacement contractor to facilitate the completion of the three most advanced schools by the end of August and to undertake survey and preliminary work at the other three buildings in the programme, including the school referred to by the Deputy.  This preparatory work is intended to facilitate the remaining construction work being completed by the end of December.

These arrangements, which follow a retendering process, provide for a contractor to be mobilised in the coming days and for work to recommence on site in the coming weeks. I would like to thank DIF and the Project Funders for their co-operation through this process and to acknowledge, in particular, the work of the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) in representing the interests of the State and the school communities.

Contingency planning remains in place for all six facilities. Students and staff of the school referred to by the Deputy will continue to be accommodated in their existing buildings until the new buildings are completed. The relevant ETB, supported by the Department of Education and Skills, is also putting in place additional temporary accommodation arrangements to cater for its increased enrolments.