Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
264. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 15 October 2019, when the appointment of a programme manager and design team process commenced; when the process will finish; when the next stage will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45156/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the project to which she refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
The process for the appointment of a multi-disciplinary technical advisory framework for the programme commenced in August 2019, when a request for tenders (RFT) was issued.
There was a very positive response to this RFT. In that respect, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the process of selection of applicants for this framework is almost complete.
The NDFA will proceed immediately to the second phase of the appointment process: a call-off competition for bundles of projects from this framework. While the project to which the Deputy refers will not be included in the first call-off competition in this respect, later call-offs will follow shortly after this initial competition has concluded. Thereafter, the NDFA will ensure that the project progresses to design stage, obtaining the necessary statutory planning permission, and moving the project onward to construction in due course. As the project to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion.
Please be assured that the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
