Extension and refurbishment of St Finian's Community College

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education & Skills to ensure that the extension and refurbishment of St Finian's Community College proceeds to the tender and build stage, if the school will be granted rapid build status; and if he will make a statement on the matter

REPLY

As the Deputies may be aware, the project to which they refer has been devolved for delivery to the local Education & Training Board (DDLETB).  That remains the case.

My Department acknowledges that the delivery of this project has taken longer than originally envisaged. Most recently, a number of issues, primarily of a legal nature, have arisen in respect of the process for the pre-qualification of contractors as referred to by the Deputy. I can inform the Deputies that, having considered these issues and liaised with my officials in that respect, DDLETB is now proceeding with a revised pre-qualification process.

Once this prequalification process is completed, the project will proceed to tender stage.