Former TD slams unacceptable delay in construction of new school in north Kildare

Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, has insisted that the delays in the construction of a new boy's national school in Kilcock is down to the failure of the design team to submit a review on the impact that the recent changes to the Public Works Contracts will have.

Kildare North Labour Representative Emmet Stagg has contacted the Minister for Education in relation to the unacceptable delay in inviting Tenders for the New St. Joseph's Boy’s National School in Kilcock.

Mr Stagg pointed out that planning permission was granted for the New School by Kildare Co Council on October 23 2015. The New School will comprise 16 classrooms, five Special Education tuition rooms, a multi-purpose room, a library resource room, a general purpose hall and a special needs unit with two base classrooms.

The Minister for Education has advised Mr Stagg that "The building project for the school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained."

Following on from those remarks, Minister Bruton also outlined how he is still waiting on a review from the design team on the impact that the construction of the new school will have on the area.

"In September 2016, the Design Team was requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes. Once the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission is received and reviewed by my Department and subject to no further issues arising my officials will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time," said Minister Bruton.

Criticising the delay in seeking Tenders, Mr Stagg stated that it was unacceptable that well over a year after receiving planning permission tenders have not been invited due to a change to Public Works Contracts.

In conclusion, Mr Stagg stated that he would continue to apply pressure to allow this necessary project to go to tender to provide the pupils and staff with a modern educational facility.