John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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438. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the tender process for the construction of a permanent building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12090/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The campus school building project referred to by the Deputies is assigned to my Department’s Design and Build programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.

This campus project will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs.

The Invitation to Tender issued in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects for 10 schools issued to the Department's Framework of Design and Build Contractors. Given the scale of works involving new purpose-built accommodation for 10 schools, some of which are on campus sites, the tender process involves a very large volume of documentation and drawings. Tender returns have been received and the analysis and review is at an advanced stage.

The Department is very conscious of the importance in getting these projects, including the campus project referred to by the Deputy, delivered as quickly as possible. The due diligence by the Department is a critical part of the overall completion of the Stage 3 process and is critical to ensuring quality and value for money, and that projects are progressed within overall programme parameters.

Once a contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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439. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied); the stage the project is at; the timeframe involved for a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12112/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers, was approved a project under my Departments Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme for the provision of one SET room and one mainstream classroom.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved this project to proceed to Tender and the school has been informed accordingly.

It is now with the school authority to progress this project.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The joint major building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(a) - Developed Design, where the preferred design option is developed to a stage where it can be fully cost planned and prepared to lodge for Statutory Approvals.

The Design Team submitted the Stage 2(a) Report to my Department on 1st February 2024, and upon review, an architectural workshop was held on 14th February 2024 to discuss and clarify details in the report. During the workshop, my Department provided comments to the Design Team to address prior to a final Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting being arranged. The Design Team response to those comments has been received by my Department, and a further architectural workshop is required in order to fully address all the comments. This is currently being arranged between Department officials and the Consultant Architect, and is expected to be held in late March 2024.

The Design Team will then need an opportunity to make any necessary revision to their Stage 2(a) report, and upon receipt and further review of the revised Stage 2(a) report by my Department, the Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting can be arranged.