Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
229. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that there are no further delays to the tender process at Harold's Cross Educate Together school; and if she can give a precise date on when we can expect the construction to commence. [11458/24]
View answer230. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the progress on the school building of a permanent school building at Harold's Cross Educate Together; the status of the tendering process; and the timeframe for the completion of the build. [11459/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 229 together.
The school campus building project referred to by the Deputy is assigned to my Department’s Design and Build programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
This campus project will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The Invitation to Tender issued in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects for 10 schools issued to the Department's Framework of Design and Build Contractors. Given the scale of works involving new purpose-built accommodation for 10 schools, some of which are on campus sites, the tender process involves a very large volume of documentation and drawings. Tender returns have been received and the analysis and review is at an advanced stage.
The Department is very conscious of the importance in getting these projects, including the campus project referred to by the Deputy, delivered as quickly as possible. The due diligence by the Department is a critical part of the overall completion of the Stage 3 process and is critical to ensuring quality and value for money, and that projects are progressed within overall programme parameters.
Once a contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter.
