asked the Minister for Education the reason for the undue delay in sanctioning the commencement of the construction of the second level school in Newcastle West, County Limerick.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Newcastle West, Limerick, School Project.
12.
I do not consider that there has been any undue delay on the part of my Department in regard to this project.
The advancement of all projects of this nature is dependent on the availability of capital resources. In the case of this particular project, and three other projects, funding is being sought from other than State sources. In this respect an advertisement was placed in the national press on Tuesday of this week inviting developers to submit proposals to design, finance and build four post-primary schools.
I am circulating in the Official Report a copy of the advertisement for the information of the House.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Building Projects
At Cashel, Castlerea, Newcastlewest and Newbridge Post-Primary Schools.
INVITATION TO DEVELOPERS
The Minister for Education, with the agreement of the Minister for Finance, is at present considering the possibility of funding certain capital projects in the second-level educational sector from sources other than from State funds. It has been decided, therefore, to initiate a scheme on a trial basis, under which developers will be invited to submit proposals to design, finance and build four building projects at the post-primary schools mentioned above. In the event, however, of such proposals, being regarded by the Minister for Education as unacceptable the trial scheme will be terminated.
The Department of Education accordingly wishes to invite applications from developers interested in submitting tenders to design, finance and build the above projects on the basis that the developers will meet all related costs and will lease the completed developments to the State on a lease-purchase basis over a period of twenty years. The accommodation is to be provided on sites which will be made available to the developers and shall be in accordance with plans and specification to be approved by the Building Unit of the Department. Developers may be permitted to use designs which have already been prepared for the individual projects.
Parties interested in tendering for one or more of the projects involved should contact the Building Unit, Department of Education, Marlborough St., Dublin 1, (Tel: 734700 Ext; 2305) for application forms.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 13th January, 1989.
(Limerick East): Could the Minister name the other three schools?
The three other schools are in Castlerea, Cashel and Newbridge.