Vol. 427 No. 8
36 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the current activities of the design, finance and construction programme for educational projects in her Department; and if she will give a commitment that this programme will be fully implemented.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the design, finance and build pilot-scheme initiated in 1988 which involved four second level school building projects. Two of these projects, Castlerea and Cashel community schools, did not proceed as design, finance and build contracts for technical reasons. In the case of Newbridge college extension the financial proposals received from the lowest tenderer were unacceptable. The fourth project, Newcastle West secondary school, has been completed and is under evaluation.
Pending a full evaluation of the pilot-scheme, I am not in a position to say to what extent design, finance and build contracts might be used on future second level building projects.
