Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school building project tenders that have changed in costings due to cost of material changes; and the average percentage change of those projects. [12582/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) once a tenderer submits a tender it is not allowed to be adjusted for inflation. However in line with CWMF procurement rules and recent new guidance and changes to Public Work Contracts (PWC), issued by the OGP, the following scenarios are being implemented by the Department of Education:

1. Where tenders are submitted and the apparently most advantageous tender (typically the lowest) is identified and subsequently withdraws, the next lowest tender is asked if they will stand over their price and accept the contract. If this tenderer withdraws, this process is continued until a tenderer will stand over their price. A test of value for money is made if this process results in a uneconomical tender. This may result in the tender being collapsed and a new tender process initiated. 

2. As of the 24th of November 2021 the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) issued new guidance constructionprocurement.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/24-November-2021-Material-price-inflation-guidance-on-public-works-tenders.pdf where in the event that tenderers fail to stand over their tenders, tenderers are invited to resubmit their tenders to take account of material price increases that have arisen since the Designated Date of the original tender.

3. As of the 9th of January 2022 the OGP issued revised PWC, supporting tender documents and guidance constructionprocurement.gov.ie/category/news/ that incorporate provisions to deal with material price inflation:

As this is an ongoing issue the full extent will not be apparent until impacted projects are concluded and the terms of the Public Works Contracts, including the dispute resolution clauses (e.g. Conciliations), are fully settled.

Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on planned major renovation and rebuilding works to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12611/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at advanced stage of Architectural Planning. The Board of Management and it's Design Team were authorised to commence Stage (2b) - Detailed Design on the 26th August 2021.

Stage 2(b) includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and when these have been secured, the preparation of Tender Documents.

When the above steps have been completed, the Design Team will submit the Stage 2b Report and documentation for review by my Department, and subject to no issues arising from that review, my Department will then contact the Design Team and the School Authorities with regard to the further progression of the project.