Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for comprehensively setting out the status of the school building project for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, and her views. I am sure that she will appreciate that I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and I will convey the Senator's contribution to the Minister.

The Senator will be aware of the fact that this project is included in the Department's construction programme that is being delivered under the national development plan. The project brief is to provide a new 16-classroom school on a site that has been purchased by the Department from Dublin City Council. The new school building will abut and be directly connected to the listed building on the neighbouring site that is occupied by Youth Work Ireland, YWI.

I understand that there was a meeting between Youth Work Ireland and the Department's technical teams on 5 October on the relocation of an air vent and replacement of the existing YWI boiler room. Youth Work Ireland undertook to revert with a worked-up proposal, including costs, on or before 22 October. This proposal was delayed as YWI's technical team awaited confirmation from Bord Gáis concerning the proposal but it was received last week. The Department has approved this proposal in principle and has agreed to cover the costs to relocate the boiler room.

I understand that there are ongoing conversations with the school on a regular basis. The Department met representatives of the school on 4 November and provided an outline of the programme and timelines. The Department also met the full design team on 10 November and provided an update to the school thereafter. The design team has now committed to submitting the stage 2(b) report to the Department by the end of January 2022 with a target date to commence tendering for a main contractor by the end of quarter 1 of 2022. The target to have a main contractor start construction would then be by the end of quarter 3 of 2022.

Required statutory approvals need to be lodged to give effect to amendments to a right of way agreed with Youth Work Ireland. It would be preferable if the lodging of these planning applications by the Department's design team and Youth Work Ireland happened in close proximity. The Department's design team lodged its application on Tuesday, 7 December. The Department and its design team will continue to liaise with Youth Work Ireland regarding the lodgement of its planning application.

Agreed changes on the right of way will also need to be given effect in a formal legal document. The Department has commenced the process to progress this through Office of the Chief State Solicitor in parallel with the completion of stage 2(b) and the tender process to appoint a construction contractor. The Office of the Chief State Solicitor will also liaise with the legal representative of Youth Work Ireland to progress this process.

In November, the school submitted an application for an emergency works grant on electrical wiring in its current building. I understand that the school has been approved for the necessary funding, under the emergency works scheme, to carry out the works.

I have noted what the Senator said in terms of the fact that the Gaelscoil is a medium-sized school with 194 pupils, that it has one of the longest waiting times and is placed fifth on the waiting list.

I understand and appreciate her comments around working from home. I am not sure where that comment came from but I will pass it on to the Minister.

I hear the Senator's frustration in respect of this matter, in particular the fact that it is 17 years since this school was promised and the fact that a sod was due to be turned and so commence building in November 2021.

I have outlined the information that the Department has given me in terms of the steps that are involved. I understand that there is a further meeting due to take place with the school on Tuesday, 14 December, which is relatively soon. I hope that things will progress at a pace from now on.