Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 3

Written Answers - Schools Refurbishment.

Noel Ahern

Question:

172 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give a detailed report on the roof repairs required for the boys and girls comprehensive school, Ballymun Road, Dublin 11, including various stages and problems since this was reported approximately eight years ago; the stages approved; the stages carried out; the cost involved; the problems of the next stages; the current condition of the roof; if it is still leaking; the way in which this can be justified after eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27127/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

In December 1992 the Department's attention was first drawn to roof problems at the Ballymun comprehensive school and, following a visit from the Department's senior architect that same month, it was decided that work be carried out on the a phased basis.

This project was one of a number of projects for which tenders were received but could not be accommodated within the 1995 allocation. In September 1997 the Department approved the tender of Messrs Aquafix Ltd in the amount of £427,839.00 for phase one of re-roofing works at the school. However, due to delays beyond the control of my Department, the contractor did not begin on site until February 1998. The preparation of tender documentation for the remainder of the roof was initiated by the Department immediately after the commencement of phase 1.

The consultant architect was requested recently to proceed with the prequalification of contractors for this work. It is my intention that this project will proceed to construction as soon as the tendering procedure is completed.