Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the new building for a school (details supplied) will be completed; the reason for the delays; and the number of labourers and tradesmen working on site. [23430/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the delays in the project to which the Deputy refers which, as he knows, has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC).  

Significant delays have been experienced in delivering this project.  These arose initially because the contractor encountered bad unforeseen ground conditions together with severe weather events last year. However, it appears from the latest programme provided by the contractor for this project that the building will now not be fully occupied until this coming October. This is extremely disappointing and frustrating for all concerned.

The contractor is responsible for resourcing and programming the construction works in question. In that respect, WCC, which is responsible for managing the contract, has expressed its disappointment with the level of resources on site and the slow progress of the construction programme.

I fully appreciate the anxiety and frustration of all the stakeholders awaiting the completion of the Curraghmore project that have been caused by the very significant delays in its delivery. I can assure them all that WCC, supported by my Department, is continuing to pursue the contractor for as speedy a delivery of the project as possible.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the fact that children diagnosed with autism have to travel to Kinnegad, County Westmeath, twice daily to attend school there due to the delay in the completion of a new school (details supplied). [23431/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the delays in the project to which the Deputy refers which, as he knows, has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC).  

My Department has worked closely with the school authorities and the patron of both schools in question to put in place contingency arrangements in the event that the project is delayed beyond September 2019. I am very disappointed to say it now appears that the building will not be ready then. The school authorities and patron for the relevant school in Kinnegad have also kindly agreed to temporarily provide accommodation for a number of special needs pupils as an alternative to home tuition for those children. The Department will be providing the funding needed to facilitate this arrangement.

I fully appreciate the anxiety and frustration of all the stakeholders awaiting the completion of the Curraghmore project that have been caused by the very significant delays in its delivery. I can assure them all that WCC, supported by my Department, is continuing to pursue the contractor for as speedy a delivery of the project as possible. Hopefully the arrangements in question will only need to be in place for a very short time.