Progress on Carrickpherish School Campus a step in the right direction – Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said news that, subject to outstanding issues being resolved, Carrickpherish School Campus will commence to construction phase in the latter half of this year, saying that the move is a step in the right direction. Deputy Coffey, who has been working on this issue for quite some time, has said this progress will mean that the new school should be ready for use at the start of 2015.

“This project, which includes Gaelscoile na Deise and Waterford Educate Together as well as enhanced community facilities has been on-going for a number of years. The original plan was devised as far back 2006 when both schools were included in the school building programme; however the pace of progress to date has been painfully slow.

“Since 2009 the project has gone out for tender four times which meant that it has been delayed time and time again. Having dealt with both schools over the course of the last couple of years I am aware of how eager they are to get this project started as quickly as possible so that the new facilities can be utilised by teachers, students and the local community.

“I understand that this project was pre-qualified in March 2012, with ten contractors short-listed for tender in May 2012. Due to some difficulties it was necessary to appoint replacements to the design team following a competitive tender in October 2012. Subsequently the Design Team submitted a revised stage 2B and the re-tendering process was to commence.

“Prior to tendering, the shortlisted candidates were asked in March 2013 to confirm that nothing had changed since the original shortlisting of candidates in May 2012 that would affect their ability to proceed to tender. Two of the ten short-listed companies were unable to provide the necessary confirmation and therefore a new pre-qualification process was necessary.

“The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, TD has confirmed to me that subject to issues being resolved, this project will proceed to construction phase in the last quarter of this year and that it is envisaged that the new school campus will be ready to be used in early 2015. This new campus will allow for the provision of modern educational buildings fit for the 21st century. I have requested that the Minister and his Department prioritise this project.

“I want to commend the work, commitment and persistence of both Gaelscoile na Deise and Waterford Educate Together board of management and staff over the last number of years in ensuring that this project is progressed. Without their determination, it is quite possible that we may not have the news that we have today.”
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