Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school projects which were halted during construction arising from the collapse of a group (details supplied); the extent to which the relevant issues have been resolved in each case; the issues pending resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11255/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Schools Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme comprises five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells.  Completion of these projects was delayed due to the liquidation of Carillion Construction Ltd in January 2018 and the examinership and subsequent liquidation of Carillion’s sub-contractor, Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd (SCIL).

A replacement contractor was appointed in June 2018 and three of the six schools, Coláiste Raithín and Ravenswell Primary school in Bray and Loreto Secondary School in Wexford, have achieved service commencement and are now fully operational.  

The replacement contractor is now completing the remaining three school buildings - Eureka Secondary School in Kells, Tyndall College Carlow and Carlow Institute of Further Education.  While there has been slippage in relation to the completion dates originally targeted by the replacement contractor, work is progressing on all sites.  The PPP company has most recently indicated that they are targeting completion of the remaining school buildings by Q2 of this year.  However, the PPP company and contractor are currently working to finalise a detailed completion programme, which we expect to receive shortly. 

The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), in consultation with the Department, continues to track progress very closely and to liaise with the PPP company in seeking a realistic and robust completion programme. The Department is also keeping the schools updated. 

Monthly unitary charge payments in relation to the buildings which remain to be completed will not be paid by the Department until the buildings are operational.