School extensions over a year behind

Two school extensions being built by the troubled Sammon Group are already over a year behind schedule.

The High Court’s appointment of an interim examiner to Kildare-based Sammon Contracting Group and two related companies on Thursday is a repercussion of the liquidation of UK firm Carillion in January. Work has since been stopped on five sites where Sammon is building five schools and a further-education college for Inspired Spaces, a consortium between Carillion subsidiaries and Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF).

DIF is retendering for any remaining work to be done, with Sammon expected to bid to finish construction elements worth €87m to the group. The Department of Education told the Irish Examiner last month that all the schools should be completed by the end of the summer holidays.