My Department is aware of the challenging market conditions for tender processes that are currently under way.
The school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.
On June 14th 2021, this project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework.
Once a Contractor has been appointed, my Department will keep the schools informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.
My Department works within the parameters set by the Office of Government Procurement and principles of public procurement set out at both national and EU level.
Once contracts are awarded, any variations to the contract sum are addressed within the standard provisions of the Public Works Contracts.