The Department of Education and Skills and National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) are currently assessing the implications of the news that construction firm Carillion has entered liquidation.

Carillion is the lead consortium member and a 50% shareholder in InspiredSpaces, the Special Purpose Vehicle responsible for delivery of the Schools Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme. The Programme includes five schools and one further education college – Loreto College, Wexford; Coláiste Raithin, Bray; St. Philomena's Primary School, Bray; Eureka Secondary School, Kells; Tyndall College, Carlow; and Carlow Institute of Further Education.

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The contract with InspiredSpaces is managed by the NDFA on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

In a statement issued on the Department of Education and Skills, they said: "It should be noted that, at this time, InspiredSpaces remains in place as the Special Purpose Vehicle responsible for delivery of Schools Bundle 5.

"The other 50% shareholder in this Special Purpose Vehicle is DIF-Dutch Infrastructure Fund BV. The NDFA is liaising with DIF in relation to next steps. 

"At this time, the school buildings in question are approximately 90% completed. The Department of Education and Skills remains committed to the full completion of these schools in as timely a manner as possible.

"No Unitary Charge payments will be made by the Department until the schools are fully completed. To date, the only payment which has been made by the Department to InspiredSpaces is €4.4 million for off-site works, which have already been completed.

"The Department of Education and Skills is monitoring the situation closely and will provide a further update as available."

(MH)