Jarvis given Cork deadline

Jarvis has been warned it could lose the £39m Cork School of Music contract in the Republic of Ireland if it doesn’t provide a building schedule by the end of December.

The warning has been delivered by the Department of Education, which is concerned that the company’s problems are delaying the start of work on the project.

"If Jarvis is unable to let us see a construction schedule by the end of next month, the Department may have to look at alternatives to build the school," a spokesman said.

Jarvis is negotiating with Hochtief to sell its remaining PFI bids after talks with Vinci collapsed. Hochtief is expected to complete its due diligence by 2 December.