Local Fianna Fáil T.D. Michael McGrath has welcomed the confirmation that the Department of Education has gone to tender for the construction of the new school in Ballygarvan.
The project had to be re-tendered because the preferred bidder following the last tender process was unable to take on the project due to financial difficulties.
‘I understand the closing date for the submission of tenders is 22nd December and the plan is to award the contract in January 2011. I know that the Tánaiste is committed to the provision of the new school in Ballygarvan and it will go ahead early in the New Year once the new contractor has been appointed.
‘Despite the cutbacks in the budget, there is still €222 million in the building programme for primary schools in 2011. Ballygarvan N.S. is a priority project out of the 2011 budget since it was due to have been constructed in 2010 only for the problems with the appointment of a contractor.
‘Once construction commences, the new school will be built in approx. 5 months. Everyone associated with the school has been waiting for this new building for many years. The project will proceed in the New Year and I will continue to give the project my full support,’ stated Deputy McGrath.
