Emer Higgins
Ceist:212. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on school building projects (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8893/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 February 2024
Ceisteanna (212)
Freagraí scríofa
The school building project for the first school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
This project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and is currently at tender stage.
The Invitation to Tender for the project issued in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects for 10 schools issued to my 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 and takes approximately 8-12 months. Tender returns have been received and are currently being evaluated.
Given the scale of this investment, this tender evaluation process by the Department's technical staff and project management team takes time to appropriately work through. The Department is very conscious of the importance in getting these projects, including the project for the school referred to by the Deputy, delivered as quickly as possible.
Once a contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter. My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.
The large scale capital project for the second school referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The project brief includes a new extension and refurbishment of the existing building, to provide accommodation for 1,000 pupils with classrooms for children with special educational needs.
I want to reassure the Deputy and the school community, that the building project remains a priority for progression.
The Tender report is currently under review by my Department officials and the school authority will be updated when this review is complete.
Until the contractor is appointed, it is not possible to provide an estimated completion date. Once the contractor is appointed, it is expected that it will take approximately 20 months to complete the project.