March 27th, 2019

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the works to provide a new school building for a school (details supplied) in addition to the associated refurbishment works will commence as a matter of urgent priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) St Molaga's National School, Balbriggan, Co Dublin

REPLY

A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme. 

A project brief has been finalised and the project will be delivered via the ADAPT programme which is an innovative delivery programme first introduced by my Department in 2016.  It uses a professional external Project Manager to coordinate and drive the respective design teams on each project.

In this regard, a tender competition is in train to establish a Project Manager framework which is expected to be in place shortly. Tenders have been returned and are currently being evaluated.

Whilst the Department must adhere to the Public Procurement rules for the appointment of consultant Design Teams the Building Unit will expedite this process in so far as possible.

My Department issued a letter dated 19th March 2019 to the school in order to provide an update on the status of the project.