Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the 16 year delay that has prevented the commencement of construction work on a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if construction of the school will be expedited; the timeline for construction of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The major building project for this school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.

A legal challenge to the pre-qualification process for the main contract from one unsuccessful contractor has recently been struck out and it is expected that a new invitation to pre-qualify will issue in early March on the e-tenders platform.

When the pre-qualification process for the main contract and reserved specialists contracts is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage.

The Department has met twice recently with school representatives and continues to be in regular contact with them in relation to the project.

Regarding the site, legal representatives for both parties are working together with a view to concluding the conveyancing. There has been significant progress recently on foot of close and intense engagement from all parties. All parties continue the work to ensure the acquisition completes at the earliest possible date and at this point it is still not anticipated that the completion of conveyancing will impact on the timelines for delivery of the building project.