Written Answers Nos. 134-153
134. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of dedicated schemes announced in May 2018 under the CFRAM flood mapping study to provide flood mitigation and defence projects at Downing, Lifford, Glenties and Kerrykeel in County Donegal. [44055/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch on 3rd May, 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). In that regard funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was also announced which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the five largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small or minor projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Lifford, Co. Donegal with an estimated cost of €6 million is being advanced by the OPW. Proposed flood relief schemes at Downing, with an estimated cost of €870,000, Glenties with an estimated cost of €550,000 and Carrowkeel (Kerrykeel), with an estimated cost of €30,000 are included in the 31 small or minor projects under €1 million, and are expected to be progressed directly by Donegal County Council with full funding from the OPW. Other schemes to be advanced in Donegal include Burnfoot and Castlefinn with estimated costs of €1.5 million and €1.75 million respectively.
The OPW has set up frameworks of consultants which the local authorities can also use to progress the design of each project and which will help to speed up the process to construction. Once consultants are appointed to progress each scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the general public will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme.
The OPW is currently in discussions with Donegal County Council to establish arrangements and structures on the progression of all these flood relief schemes throughout Co. Donegal.
135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of measures being undertaken by the Office of Public Works working in collaboration with the local authority for purposed flood reliefs at Castelfinn, Ballybofey and Stranorlar and Burnfoot, County Donegal. [44056/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch on 3rd May, 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). In that regard funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was also announced which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the five largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small or minor projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.
Following discussions with Donegal County Council, the proposed schemes at Burnfoot and Castlefin, at estimated costs of €1.5m and €1.75m respectively, have been included among the first projects to be advanced from the nationwide Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plans. Other schemes to be advanced in Donegal include proposed projects at Lifford, Carrowkeel, Downies and Glenties. Discussions are ongoing with Donegal County Council on how best to advance each of these schemes.
The proposed project for Ballybofey & Stranorlar is not part of the first phase of projects to be advanced, but OPW and Donegal County Council will work closely to ensure that they will be commenced in the coming years and within the 10-year timeframe for the programme of investment. However in order to alleviate the situation in Ballybofey & Stranorlar, funding to the sum of €157,500 has been approved under the Minor Works Scheme for the removal of vegetation and trees on embankments and also for the construction of sumps / pumping areas.
136. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 17 October 2018, if he will quantify the relatively small number of projects the €500,000 limit has been exceeded. [44085/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Measured Term Maintenance Contract which expired on 12th October 2018 set a single order limit at €500,000 exclusive of VAT.
During this contract i.e. from 13th October 2014 to 12th October 2018 the number of projects that have exceeded the contract limit of €500,000 exclusive of VAT were as follows:
|
Projects, that have exceeded €500k exclusive of VAT and that commenced between 13/10/2014 and 12/10/2018 |
Number of Projects |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
3 |
|
2016 |
2 |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
2018 |
7 |
137. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person availing of an extension of employment under the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018 will remain on their existing pay grade; if not, if they will be required to return to the first increment on their pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44129/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, which was published on 9 July, provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age to 70, for the majority of public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. These public servants generally have a compulsory retirement age of 65 at present, which is provided for under statute. The Bill passed all stages in the Seanad on 17 July and is provisionally scheduled for Second Stage in the Dáil on the 25th of this month. The Bill is being treated as a priority with the intention of securing enactment as soon as possible in the current term.
Under the terms of the Bill, the legislation when enacted will provide that public servants reaching the age of 65 will be able to remain at work up to the age of 70, if they so wish, on their existing terms and conditions including pay. Incremental progression will continue up to the date of retirement and additional service will count towards pension accrual subject to the statutory maximum of 40 years.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which all Departments remain compliant with the criteria laid down in respect of public expenditure and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44177/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department can ensure best value for money in terms of current and capital expenditure throughout the course of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the meeting by various Departments of the targets set by his Department in each of the past two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44184/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he continues to monitor current and capital spending; the degree to which both categories remain within tolerance levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44186/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has identified breaches in the norms set by his Department in respect of public expenditure and reform which need to be addressed in the long and the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44188/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 143, 145, 147 and 149 together.
Managing the delivery of public services within allocations forms a key part of the responsibilities of every Minister and Department. My own Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is reported on each month against expenditure profiles in the Fiscal Monitor published by the Department of Finance.
The management of expenditure within the overall fiscal parameters over the last number of years has played a key role in ensuring that we have continued to meet out fiscal targets. However, given the scale of Government expenditure - €61.8 billion in aggregate for gross voted expenditure in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) 2018 - and the cash basis of Government accounting, the need for Supplementary Estimates can arise for a number of reasons, including policy decisions, timing issues, and overspends. They are a budgetary tool that allows for the proper alignment of funding allocations with planned expenditure. Of course, they can only be allowed where they can be accommodated within the overall fiscal parameters.
As set out in the most recent Fiscal Monitor, total gross voted expenditure at end-September 2018 was €44,874 million, which is broadly on profile. Net voted expenditure of €36,042 million was €45 million below profile with net voted spending in 14 out of 17 Vote Groups being below profile. As outlined in the Fiscal Monitor, current spending is 0.6 per cent ahead of profile, with the main driver of this variance being Health expenditure.
As outlined in Expenditure Report 2019, as a result of policy decisions, including in relation to the provision of a 100 per cent Christmas Bonus to social welfare recipients, additional capital for the Department of Housing and expenditure pressures in particular in the Health sector, the gross voted expenditure outturn for the year is now estimated at €62.8 billion, an increase of €1 billion relative to the gross voted expenditure amount in REV 2018. A key element of the increase in gross voted expenditure is an expenditure overrun in Health of €645 million, with an additional €55 million being required for a shortfall in receipts. As I outlined in my statement to the Dáil on Budget day, I continue to look at choices that we have to make in healthcare regarding how we can accompany all time high levels of investment with improved governance, accountability, effectiveness and value for money.
A number of measures are in place to support value for money in terms of capital and current expenditure. During 2018, my Department has engaged with a range of Departments on year two of the Spending Review process, with a view to reinforcing a systematic analysis of existing spending programmes, focusing on an assessment of efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. In the last two years of the Spending Review process, over 50 analytical papers have been produced. These papers:
- Provide an evidence base in relation to Departmental spending that informs the choices made in relation to budgetary allocations;
- Identify areas of existing expenditure that require ongoing analysis where issues emerge during the Spending Review; and
- Outline key sectoral trends and provide analysis with international comparisons on expenditure levels and efficiency.
Building on the output of the Spending Reviews in 2017 and 2018, the intention is that the Spending Review in 2019 will once again focus on an assessment of efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of specific spending programmes. The Spending Review in 2019 will continue to support the development of better policy options for Government by broadening and deepening the knowledge of a range of complex policy areas to facilitate future discussions regarding the evolution of Government expenditure.
Turning to capital expenditure, the National Development Plan (NDP) has set an investment in infrastructure of almost €116 billion over the ten year period to 2027. Such a level of investment requires a strong framework to drive its implementation and increased transparency on the projects and programmes being supported by this investment. In this regard, a high-level Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board has been established. The Project Delivery Board will continue to provide strategic direction and leadership to the NDP and National Planning Framework (NPF) implementation process. The Delivery Board will monitor and oversee implementation structures and performance across the various sectors to ensure a co-ordinated and collaborative whole of Government approach to NDP and NPF delivery.
In relation to public service reform, Our Public Service 2020 is the framework for reform and innovation in the public service which was launched in December 2017. This phase of public service reform focuses on supporting sustainable, continuous progress across the public service. It aims to build a stronger public service and to deliver better quality services to the Irish public.
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department has made the necessary preparations to combat the effects of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to deal with relevant fall out from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has identified a position fall out from Brexit with a view to harnessing same for maximum benefit to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 141 and 142 together.
The Government is fully aware of the scale of the political, economic and diplomatic challenge posed by Brexit. It has been clear and consistent about Ireland’s priorities, namely minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.
Across Government, all Departments and agencies are taking the necessary measures to prepare for Brexit while also preparing for the contingency of a no-deal Brexit or a disorderly Brexit. The Getting Ireland Brexit Ready Campaign was launched in September, and a series of regional events are in progress for citizens and businesses.
Within my own Department Brexit issues are coordinated by the Brexit/EU/North South Unit. The Unit supports me in my work on Brexit, leads work across the Department and its agencies, and represents the Department on the various groups that coordinate's the Government's response to Brexit.
Central to the Government’s preparation for Brexit is the prudent management of the public finances so as to ensure the economy remains competitive in the face of future economic headwinds. Measures being taken include balancing the books, reducing our debt burden, building up the Rainy Day Fund and continuing to invest in infrastructure.
Budget 2019 sets out a number of specific measures aimed at making Ireland Brexit ready, including the introduction of a longer-term loan scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme for terms of 8-10 years, to provide a longer-term scheme facility of up to €300 million to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates.
It also provides increased resources of €25 million across a range of Departments and Offices based on a Brexit central case scenario; a €71 million package for the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and its agencies, Teagasc and Bord Bia; an increase of €14 million to the current allocation for the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation; €5 million for the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to enable it to continue to address the challenges posed by Brexit across a range of headings.
Budget 2019 builds on Budget 2017 and Budget 2018 and will help to ensure that Ireland is in the best possible position to respond to the challenges - and indeed the opportunities - that Brexit will bring.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department in the context of reform has introduced new criteria in view of the international and global trading challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe live in a world that is uncertain and in which Ireland faces many challenges, including the international and global trading challenges to which the Deputy refers. Central to the Government’s preparation for such challenges is the prudent management of the public finances in order to ensure the economy remains competitive in the face of future economic headwinds. Measures being taken include balancing the books, reducing our debt burden, building up the Rainy Day Fund and continuing to invest in infrastructure.
In the particular context of reform, a series of initiatives taken by the Government since 2011 have made the work of the civil and public services more transparent, decision-making more accountable and service delivery more effective and efficient. Our Public Service 2020, which I launched last December, is a new policy framework designed to build on these previous reforms while expanding the scope of reform to focus more on collaboration, innovation and evaluation. Progress in each of these areas, but especially innovation, will better position Ireland to meet the challenges arising in the global environment to which the Deputy refers.
Certain of the eighteen specific actions set out in Our Public Service 2020, such as accelerating digital delivery of services, driving efficiency and effectiveness and promoting a culture of innovation in the public service are particularly relevant in this regard. A Public Service Leadership Board comprising Secretary General and CEO level participants from across the civil and public service has been established to drive the new reform agenda and lead on its implementation. This approach will support and enable public servants and their organisations to perform at their best and to work together to deliver high-quality, value-for-money outcomes that will benefit the economy.
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the FEMPI cycle has been completed and-or will be completed in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44183/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 221 - PQ13541/18 - of 27 March 2018
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific issues that have been brought to his attention which indicate a lack of compliance with the criteria set down by his Department in terms of procurement and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44185/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether procurement restrictions are restricting development of the economy in view of allegations to this effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44187/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 148 together.
Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for the National Public Procurement Policy Framework which sets the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. This framework enables a more consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector.
Public procurement practices are subject to audit and scrutiny under the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, and the Local Government Reform Act 2014, and Accounting Officers are publicly accountable for expenditure incurred. Individual contracting authorities are responsible for establishing arrangements for ensuring the proper conduct of their affairs, including conformance to standards of good governance and accountability with regard to procurement.
My colleague, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, launched new Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services in July 2017. The guidelines facilitate Public Bodies in meeting their corporate governance requirements in relation to procurement. These guidelines provide a comprehensive interpretation of the public procurement directives and have been designed to improve consistency and promote best practice in the application of the public procurement rules.
Procurement reform is a key element of the Government's overall reform programme and is aimed at delivering increased value for money, more accurate and timely data and improvement in the capacity and capability of procurement across the public service. The central procurement frameworks and contracts established by the OGP and our sector partners in Health, Education, Local Government and Defence have been designed to optimise benefits including savings to the State through the strategic aggregation of its buying power.
The reform is being carried out in a manner that recognises the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in this country's economy. The aim is to drive fair, transparent and open competition in the marketplace but also to work with business to ensure that government procurement policies are business friendly. In this regard, Minister of State O’Donovan chairs quarterly meetings of the SME Advisory Group, in accordance with the Programme for Government, where he hears at first hand the concerns of industry.
150. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to protect small contractors that engage in State work; and if the final payment in relation to a social housing site (details supplied) is being withheld from a company until the subcontractors have been reimbursed. [44190/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions of most construction contracts in use between construction clients and building contractors in both the public and private sectors require that payments are made at defined intervals and that payment is contingent on work being completed to a pre-determined standard. There is usually no contractual obligation on the main contractor to make payments to sub-contractors because this is left to the commercial arrangements that are contained in their respective contracts.
The public works contract is no different, it imposes a single point of responsibility on the main contractor to deliver a construction project on time and within budget.
Poor payment practices prevalent in the construction industry prompted Senator Feargal Quinn to table a legislative response in the form of the Construction Contracts Bill which was initiated in Seanad Éireann in May 2010 as a Private Member’s Bill. Analysis undertaken during the development of the Bill highlighted the liberties that were taken by some contractors in the absence of a structure to determine payments down the supply chain.
The Bill received Government and industry support and was enacted in 2013, it applies to all contracts entered into after 25 July 2016 in accordance with the 'Construction Contracts Act, 2013 (Appointed Day) Order 2016' (Statutory Instrument No 165 of 2016). The Construction Contracts Act 2013 imposes minimum payment requirements and provides the necessary tools to enforce those payments between the main contractor and their sub-contractors and so on down the supply chain. It applies to all construction contracts (as defined in the Act), public or private sector, whether they are written or oral and whether they include payment provisions or not.
The Act provides important statutory protections for subcontractors in the construction industry and includes:
- a maximum payment interval of 30 days and a requirement to honour payment requests within 30 days for sub-contractors;
- a right to suspension for non-payment;
- a right to refer a payment dispute to adjudication; and
- the prohibition of arrangements that make entitlement to payment conditional on certain events, (e.g. ‘pay when paid’ clauses, which delay payments until the payer has, in turn, been paid), which were prevalent in most forms of sub-contract.
The public works contracts were amended prior to the Act's commencement in June 2016 to accommodate its requirements and to facilitate cash flow in accordance with the payment terms imposed on main contractors with respect to their sub-contractors.
Whilst much of the interest from industry surrounding the Act was centred on the introduction of adjudication, it is the discipline that the legislation imposes on payments that appears to be largely ignored. Arguably these are the most important provisions in the Act but sub-contractors must be proactive in enforcing their entitlements with the contractor for payments that are due.
The Act does not cut across the normal rules for company liquidation/receivership and so where this arises the only route for recovery is through the normal insolvency process. However the magnitude of the exposure that many sub-contractors currently face upon the insolvency of a contractor would not arise if the provision for payments were insisted upon and the remedies available were exercised where payment is not forthcoming.
It is unacceptable that sub-contractors are suffering losses as a result of the insolvency of a contractor on a construction project. However the issue raised would suggest that sub-contractors are not exercising the rights provided for in the Construction Contracts Act which is surprising given the welcome it received by all contracting tiers in the industry and indeed the support it received from members of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Construction Contracts Adjudication Service in the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation has responsibility for matters in relation to the implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013. The Chairperson of the Ministerial Panel of Adjudicators has submitted an Annual Report on the implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 to my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Act, Mr Pat Breen TD. The second Annual Report covers the period from the 26th July 2017 to the 25th July 2018 and a copy of the report is available at the following link:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Second-Annual-Report-of-the-implementation-of-the-Construction-Contracts-Act-2013.pdf.
As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have responsibility for the formulation of policy, dissemination of best practice and guidance in public procurement. The standard conditions of the public works contract contain provisions that determine the value and timing of the interim and final payments that arise during the course of a project's construction. As you will appreciate I am not in a position to comment on specific payments arising under a particular contract as this is a matter for the contracting authority who awarded the contract.
151. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if 19 speech and language therapists and 12 occupational therapists have been specifically recruited by the HSE since May 2018 to work in a pilot project to bring specialised therapists into schools and preschools; and if not, the number of each specifically recruited for the projects. [44045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that it was recently announced that a demonstration project to provide in-school and pre-school therapy services will be introduced for the 2018/19 school year.
The project will be managed and co-ordinated by the National Council for Special Education.
The demonstration project is being developed by a Working Group which includes representatives from the Departments of Education, Children and Youth Affairs, Health, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The purpose of the project is to test a model of tailored therapeutic supports that allows for early intervention in terms of providing speech and language and occupational therapy within ‘educational settings’. This innovative pilot will complement existing HSE funded provision of essential therapy services.
The model will be that of inter professional collaboration with therapists and school staff working together to identify needs, plan interventions, and monitor progress and supporting school staff and parents to delivery indirect interventions, on a supervised basis.
It will be designed to provide for a clinical Speech and Language Therapy service delivery model of Specialist, Targeted and universal supports in line with best practice for pupils which will see them receiving supports along a continuum of provision depending on the extent or severity of needs of the child/pupil.
It is intended that 19 speech and language therapists and 12 occupational therapists will be recruited by the HSE and assigned to work with the pilot project.
To date, 16 speech and language therapists and 12 occupational therapists have been recruited and assigned to work with project. Two therapy managers have also been assigned to the project. The HSE is continuing to seek to recruit the remaining 3 speech and language therapists and it is hoped that this process can be completed in the near future.
152. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to independently assess the controversy caused by the acquisition of a stadium (details supplied) by his Department for €23 million, which is above the market value. [44086/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's decision in 2017 to acquire the Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium site was taken in the context of a review of demographics of the south Dublin city area which demonstrated a substantial projected growth in enrolment, known limited land availability and the impending sale of the site by the Irish Greyhound Board. From a school provision perspective, the site is well located to serve south Dublin city.
In March 2017, the Department requested of the Irish Greyhound Board, that the DPER Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets be followed to advance the acquisition.
This circular requires the Valuation Office to provide a determination of market value of the property to be disposed which is binding on both the disposing and acquiring Government Department or State body.
The acquisition price of the property to which the Deputy refers was based on the property's market value as determined by the Valuation Office. The Valuation Office is an independent expert agency which provides independent and impartial valuations in accordance with International Valuation Standards.
In the interests of transparency I have published the Valuation Office Report on my Department's website - link as follows.
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/valuation-report-of-harold%E2%80%99s-cross-greyhound-stadium-site-by-valuation-office-update-note-.pdf.
In addition, the Valuation Office provided a recent update to my Department which outlines the considerations which applied to this particular valuation. This update, which was requested by Department and received on 15 October 2018 is also published on my Department's website - link as follows.
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/valuation-report-of-harold%E2%80%99s-cross-greyhound-stadium-site-by-valuation-office-update-note-.pdf .
153. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if correspondence in respect of a matter (details supplied) has been received by him. [43988/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the former Minister, Deputy Richard Burton, was in receipt of a request to meet a deputation from the school in question.
The Patron of the school is the local Education and Training Board (ETB) and I understand that it is keeping the school and parents up to date on plans for the finish out of a building project at the school which ceased when the contractor went into liquidation.
The ETB and its Design Team is making arrangements for a replacement contractor. This work is well underway. The revised completion date for the project is now August 2019 in time for the commencement of the 2018/19 school year. I understand that the programme remains on track to achieve this completion date. On this basis I would like to provide assurances that every effort is being made by the ETB to ensure that the completion programme is adhered to and this is being closely monitored by my Department.
