Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the parent's association, I want to read a number of questions into the record. The Minister has received these questions and I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could also raise them with her. What is the duration of the rental contract between the GAA and the Department? Are there plans in place for accommodation during the academic year 2024-2025? Will the Minister provide a specific date for when lot 7 will progress to the next stage? Will the Minister explain the reasons behind the delay in the construction process? Has the Department initiated the process of renewing planning permission? If the construction of the building is not completed within the previously communicated timeline, are there contingency plans for accommodation during the academic year 2025-2026, the year after the next academic year? Is there a method to expedite the construction of the permanent building? The lot of projects that most recently went to tender did so in April 2023. What is the delay in lot 7 going to tender? Have any projects from lot 7 proceeded to tender?

I wanted to put those questions on the record and the Minister of State will have access to them. He touched on some of the answers in his response. My concern, following on from our initial exchange, is the piece around the "90 school building projects [that are] currently at tender stage [and] will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025". I understand this project is coming towards the end of stage 2B. I hope that process is to conclude soon. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could come back with an indicative timeline for when it will move to tender stage. The big issue that needs a push from Government Deputies in County Meath and from all of us, and the school community will not be found wanting, is getting it to tender and construction stage. Early 2025 looks like it is already blocked off. We need this project to proceed at the latest in early 2025.

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