Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity, on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, to outline to the Dáil its current position on Scoil Chroí Naofa in Ballinasloe, County Galway. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme which will be delivered under the national development plan, NDP, as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning — stage 2(b) detailed design - where the design team has secured all statutory applications and is preparing the suite of tender documents. The brief for the project is to provide a new 16-classroom primary school with additional classrooms for pupils with special educational needs. The stage 2(b) submission has been received in the Department for review by the multidisciplinary team, and this review is currently under way. On completion of stage 2(b) design, a meeting of all stakeholders will be organised. On completion of the review, the Department will advise the school authorities and their design team of the progression of the project, including comments for the design team's attention regarding the stage 2 (b) submission report.

See this speech in context