Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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4. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the present procurement schedule and timelines for a new build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34954/22]

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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My question is for the Minister. What are the present procurement schedule and timelines for a new build, Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, Baile Gunnair?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, Ballygunner, Waterford, will be delivered under the Department's accelerated delivery of architectural planning and tendering, ADAPT, programme. This programme uses a professional external project manager to co-ordinate and drive the design team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of architectural planning to tender and, ultimately, construction. This is the third ADAPT delivery programme undertaken by my Department since 2016 and involves major building projects for 30 schools, including, as the Deputy referenced, the new school for Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge.

The tender process to appoint the project manager commenced in December and is now complete. The appointed project manager carried out a site visit to Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge on 24 June. The Department recently contacted the school authority with an update regarding the completion of the project manager appointment and the upcoming tender process for the appointment of a design team. The role of the design team is to design the project in accordance with the Department's design team procedures. This involves various stages, including preliminary design, detailed design, planning permissions and then onwards to tender and constriction.

Until the design team has a preferred design option agreed and fully costed, and until all statutory applications have been granted in stage 2(b) of architectural planning, it will not be possible to provide timelines regarding the progression of the project to tender and construction stages. The anticipated timelines for projects in the ADAPT programme to complete the pre-tender stage of architectural planning is within 24 months of the design team appointment. As I noted, this does not include the time that could be involved if there are delays in the planning application process, or an appeal to An Bord Pleanála is encountered, but it will be the timetable to which the project manager and the design team are guided to work towards.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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I thank the Minister most sincerely for her engagement with me on this process from the outset and her diligent attention to this school project, which is so badly needed in east Waterford and will do so much to improve the whole ecosystem of Irish in the region. We have an adjacent Gaelscoil as a feeder school to Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, which will take in almost 180 students this year and has had two junior cycle classes for the past three years. As the Minister knows, the school is going from strength to strength but it is still operating out of prefabs so the construction of a new school is badly needed.

I hope we can find a way to try to reduce the procurement timelines as much as possible. I envisage no planning difficulties in the area. The school will be most welcome. It is very badly needed for a burgeoning area of Waterford city. It is very important for the development and retention of our teanga and cultúr in Contae Phort Láirge.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I sincerely acknowledge the excellent work that goes on in the school, including its delivery of education to its students, its role in the community and the excellence of the entire school community. This school is a priority for delivery but there is a process. On the procurement process, in the first instance, the appointment of the project manager involved a detailed commercial process that had to be completed. It is very positive that the process has been completed. It is particularly positive that a site visit has taken place and was done as a priority. That means we can advance to the next stage.

The appointment of a design team is a significant body of work in that we are talking about the architect, quantity surveyor, civil construction engineer, mechanical and electrical engineer, fire safety consultant, project supervisor for the design process and all of that. It will be given every opportunity to progress apace. I am mindful of what the Deputy said about the planning process, which will obviously be helpful.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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I sincerely thank Ms Cáit Ní Shé, the príomhoide, and the foireann iontach she has around her, especially the múinteoirí, tuismitheoirí and an bord bainistíochta.

I will also raise the issue of site ownership. The Department has to buy that site and I ask that this be expedited. There are ongoing contracts that, hopefully, are to be exchanged. I again acknowledge the Minister's work in this area. This school is of great importance as it is a natural pivot to An Rinn in Dungarvan. It means we will now have a very comprehensive school ecosystem as Gaeilge and oideachas trí Ghaeilge, which is very important for Waterford. The excellent work being done in Waterford is giving a great grounding to children there in their culture and the tradition of Irish, which is something to be lauded.

I hope this project can progress apace and we look forward to seeing it developed.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Every opportunity is being provided here. The Department is very clear in its intention to deliver an ambitious schools building programme throughout the country which includes this school. As the Deputy can see from the report I have given, the project is moving apace. It is a significant acknowledgement that following the appointment of the project manager, the site visit has taken place and now we can continue to move apace, to use the Deputy's phrase.

It is important for the benefit of all school communities that we have the facilities that meet their needs. Every opportunity and priority we can give will be given. It is part of a very ambitious building programme we are undertaking throughout the country. We will advance this project as quickly as we can. We are mindful of the benefit it will be to the school community. In the interim, I acknowledge the excellent work of the school community in delivering education.