Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The permanent building project referred to be the Deputy, will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build programme and is currently at tender stage.

The Invitation to Tender for the project issued in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects for 10 schools issued to the Department's Framework of Design and Build Contractors. Given the scale of works involving new purpose-built accommodation for 10 schools, some of which are on campus sites, the tender process involves a very large volume of documentation and drawings and takes circa 12 months. Tender returns have been received and the analysis and review is at an advanced stage.

Given the scale of this investment, this tender evaluation process by the Department's technical staff and project management team takes time to appropriately work through. The Department is very conscious of the importance in getting these projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, delivered as quickly as possible.

Once a contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter. The construction duration for the project is estimated at some 65 weeks.

My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.