Schools Building Projects Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Ceisteanna (176)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

176. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of contractors which have expressed an interest in the construction of a school (details supplied) by the closing date of 3 May 2018; when tenders will be invited for the project; the length of time the tender process will take; when construction will commence on the new school as indicated in the departmental letter to the school in March 2018, which set out the timeframe for the progression of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20144/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

The Stage 2(b) submission has been reviewed by my Department and a letter  issued to the school and its Design Team advising them of a timeframe for the progression of this project.  This project has been authorised to commence the Pre-Qualification of Contractors.

The pre-qualification and shortlisting of suitable contractors normally takes between 8 and 12 weeks to complete.

Thereafter a the tender process for the awarding of a construction contract for a school building project takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.