Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
473. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); the expected timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71968/25]
View answerThe project brief is for the construction of a 16-classroom primary school, on a brownfield site, purchased from Dublin City Council.
The site is in an area of archaeological interest and abuts a Protected Structure. A number of issues arose on site early in the project, which is not unusual given the nature of a brownfield city centre site, but this led to a delay. While all parties actively engaged to discuss and resolve the issues and to reduce any risk to the programme, these unforeseen matters did lead to a delay.
In response to issues on the site the Department sanctioned the appointment of a Project Manager on the project, who has engaged with both the Design Team and Contractor to minimise project delays on the programme and ensure clear lines of communication were in operation.
Good progress was initially made following the Project Manager’s intervention in the summer of 2024 up to year end with significant visible progress being made on the structure. Since Christmas however, the project issues have intensified. The Department has had ongoing engagement with the contractor and the Design Team to resolve these issues.
As a result, the Department entered a Conciliation hearing to try reach agreement on a solution to ensure the earliest possible delivery of the school while respecting its statutory obligations.
In accordance with standard practice and contractual requirements, the conciliation process is of a confidential nature. A temporary pause on works, under the suspension of works provisions of the contract, provided an opportunity to consider outcomes from the conciliation process. A notice of suspension of works was communicated to the contractor on 23 May 2025 in accordance with the provisions of the contract.
During the suspension, the Department carefully considered the best way to deliver a school building while also respecting its statutory obligations. A notice of termination was issued under the contract on 1 July 2025 following careful consideration of the need to ensure compliance with those statutory obligations.
Department officials are in regular contact with the School Authorities, meeting approximately every 6 weeks, or more frequently when required and are committed to continuing this support for the school.
As an interim measure, the department is providing accommodation more suitable to the current needs of the school nearby in Cathal Brugha St.
The department is assessing all options open to it to expedite the delivery of a new school building, and as set out above, is in very regular contact with the school authorities.
The department will provide a further update when we have clarity surrounding the timeline for completion of the project.
