Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
302. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the tender stage for a new building for a school (details supplied) has been completed, as a delay in proceeding to construction may mean that the school's current lease expires before the new build is complete, causing an extremely difficult position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35928/26]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is assigned to my Departments Design & Build delivery programme which uses a professional external Programme Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender, and construction.
The project is currently at Stage 3 – Tender Award Stage. The date for return of completed tenders was 27th March 2026. Tenders are currently being assessed by the Programme Manager team and on completion, the Programme Manager will issue their tender report to my Department for review.
Due diligence by my Department is a critical part of the overall completion of the Stage 3 process and is essential to ensuring quality and value for money, and that projects are progressed within overall budgetary parameters.
Upon completion of the tender process, an indicative timeframe of the completion of the new school building for Cork Educate Together Secondary School would be confirmed.
The new school building for Cork Educate Together Secondary School is one of the priority projects for my Department.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated on progress.
