John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the letter of intent issued to a school (details supplied) for which there has been no movement since its issuance some months ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26170/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme as a campus project and will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the ETB-owned site at Fortunestown Lane.

The Invitation to Tender 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. The Letter of Intent (LOI) for this campus project issued to the preferred tenderer in April 2024 which allows the preferred tenderer to put in place the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.

Following the issuing of the LOI, my Department’s Project Manager has been liaising with the preferred tenderer regarding the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements that are required under the Contract, including the scheduling of a post-tender clarification meeting.

Once all the necessary documentation and clarifications have been received, my Department will then be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.

My Department will update the school and its patron body once the LOA has issued and will continue to liaise with school in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.