Education and Training Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2019

Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Questions (123)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

123. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for ongoing delays in the development of the new Louth and Meath Education and Training Board headquarters facility in Drogheda, County Louth; the planned date for commencement of the building project on the site in Drogheda; the progress made to advance the project in 2018 and to date in 2019; the funds expended on the head office project in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, including professional and consultancy fees, surveying, legal fees and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17989/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (LMETB). 

A number of design issues have arisen with this project. These have included issues relating to the need for additional security features for the proposed building that became apparent at tender stage and which required a change in brief with consequent design alterations. Currently, the capacity of the building is being reviewed to ensure it meets LMETBs needs into the future. 

I can assure the Deputy that every effort to progress the project has been made in 2018 and 2019 and will continue to be made. A number of meetings between officials from my Department and LMETB and its design team, with a view to addressing the relevant issues, have taken place in the last year. However, it is still too early at this stage to give a commencement date for construction.

To date, approximately €260k has been spent on costs related to the project including design team fees, planning and statutory consent fees and surveys for the project. Approximately €200k of this was expended in 2015 with the remainder spent last year.