Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
473. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made as to when a new school building will be open (details supplied); when officials from her Department were last on the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35319/20]
View answerOn the specific matters that have impacted the handover of the building, the Department is taking the appropriate steps to ensure it is completely satisfied that the building is fit for handover prior to accepting it. The Department is engaging with the contractor in this regard under the appropriate terms of the public works contract. Some communication was received from the contractor on 30 September and was reviewed and assessed. That communication was deemed inadequate and a further notice issued to the contractor in October. A response was received at the end of October and this is being considered. While this process is under way, the Department will not make any further comment other than to say that we are expediting this as quickly as possible. There has been no requirement for Department officials to attend on site in a number of weeks due to the on-going matters.
