I have received confirmation that the tender pre-qualification for Craughwell National School’s extension has been completed and candidates have been short-listed.
I am pleased that significant progress has now been made.
The next stage will be the finalisation of the project’s specifications before its submission to the Department of Education for approval.
I have been informed by the Office of Public Works, which is managing the project, that it should then be in a position to go to tender, hopefully by mid-August 2020.
I had previously written to the OPW to express my concerns about delays to the project, which have been unfair to the school, pupils, parents, staff and Board of Management. I am delighted that it is now moving ahead in spite the COVID-19 disruption.
The project consists of a two-storey extension of 1,628 sq metres to the existing school that will replace prefab classrooms.
It will include eight classrooms, a general purpose sports hall, a multi-purpose room, offices for administration and the principal, a lift, toilets, car parking and a drop-off and pick-up area.
The OPW has also informed me that the contractor for the emergency roof repair works is now back on site and the works should be completed within ten days.
The photograph at the school was taken prior to COVID-19.