Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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737. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a construction contractor has been appointed for a permanent build project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38932/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.

The project when complete will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school including accommodation for children with special educational needs.

The Invitation to Tender for the project issued on the 18th April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects issued to a Framework of Design & Build Contractors. The tender process currently takes approximately 8-10 months. Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction would commence shortly thereafter.

My Department will continue to liaise with the school and its patron body in relation to the school's interim accommodation requirements pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.