Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
413. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional measures being undertaken to ensure that a school (details supplied) will be moved into its new premises by September 2018 in view of the liquidation of a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25232/18]
View answerThe company referred to by the Deputy had a part in a tender for the completion of construction of the Schools Bundle 5 PPP project, following the liquidation of Carillion Construction Ltd. Schools Bundle 5 encompasses five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells, including the school referred to by the Deputy.
This tender process is at an advanced stage. However, the examinership and subsequent liquidation of the company referred to by the Deputy has added complexity to the process of confirming the arrangements for completion of the Schools Bundle 5 schools. These arrangements are currently being worked through by the Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF), which represents the PPP company, and the Project Funders, in close consultation with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) and the Department of Education and Skills. The Project Funders anticipate that the pathway forward to completion of the schools will become clearer within the next week or so. The school authorities are being advised of developments on a regular basis.
It is still the case that the schools which are closest to completion, including the school referred to by the Deputy, remain best positioned to be finished for September and all efforts are being made to achieve this. The Department is also working with the school authorities on any necessary contingency arrangements for September.
