Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school building projects that have been affected by building contractors running into financial difficulties since January 2018; the names of the schools in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42114/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Since the beginning of 2018, 18 school building projects have been affected in respect of two contractors who have encountered financial difficulties. A list of the 18 schools in question is as follows:

One of the building contractors in question went into Liquidation; this contractor was involved in 15 of the projects. The other contractor, who was engaged in the other three projects affected, underwent a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) process, which is similar to Examinership.

Of the 18 projects - 8 of the schools are now occupied, 1 is due to be completed by late October/early November 2018, a further 4 schools are due to be completed in late 2018/2019 and 5 of the projects are currently being retendered.

On a small number of projects where the schools are occupied but some site works have yet to be completed, the Design Teams are currently in negotiation with the respective Bondsman with a view to having the works completed as soon as possible.

I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to achieving the earliest possible completion dates for all the projects concerned.