Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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31. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the construction of the new boys' and girls' primary school in Monasterevin. [10327/17]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister to deal with Question No. 31, which has a very short answer. We have only three minutes remaining, so I will allow one supplementary question but no introduction.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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What is the question about?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is about a school in Monasterevin.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The building project for the Monasterevin primary school project is included on my Department's current six-year construction programme. The project is listed therein to commence construction in 2017.

The project was authorised to commence stage 2(b) of architectural planning on 30 June 2016. This stage includes the applications for planning permission, a fire certificate and a disability access certificate and the preparation of tender documents. The design team is currently working on the applications for these statutory approvals.

When all the relevant statutory approvals have been obtained the design team will submit the stage 2(b) report to my Department for review and when that review is complete the Department will contact the board of management with regard to the further progression of the project to tender and construction stages.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister's reply to the question. From the point of view of the school and the local community, there cannot be any delays after this goes to planning permission. Monasterevin is in dire need of a new primary school. The accommodation at St. Peter's school and at the girls' St. Evin's school is chronic. I was in St. Evin's school and it is impossible to heat. It has a felt roof with chipboard under it. I have a garden shed at home that is built to nearly a better standard. The school is in a 50 year old building. We cannot have any more delays with this project. Monasterevin has suffered years of neglect. I welcome the fact that St. Paul's secondary school is proceeding apace, but the school following the amalgamation of St. Peter's school and St. Evin's school is listed to go to construction this year. We want to ensure that this happens. Will the Minister raise it with his officials to ensure that it is made a real priority? It is hard to understand the situation because there have been decades of false promises and delays.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There have been some delays in the planning process which I would say are beyond the control of the Department or the school. There were some delays and traffic management issues that had to be overcome but the council no doubt feels it has to deal with these planning issues.

Feedback from the council last month was positive and it appears that things are proceeding apace at this stage. I understand a planning application will be lodged within weeks.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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I understand most of the outstanding issues have been resolved. I hope, therefore, it will be possible to get builders on site and have the works commence this year.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Securing planning permission and fire and disability access certificates is not within the control of the Department. These matters will have to be addressed before a stage 2B submission is made and the Department must be satisfied with the detailed submission at that point.