James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter regarding a statement on the progress of the new extension for Ballinspittle National School and an outline of the timelines for each project stage. The major building project for the school is included in the Department’s construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan. The brief provides for the demolition of the existing buildings to provide accommodation for a new 12-classroom school, with three classrooms for pupils with special educational needs on the current site.

This project entered architectural planning upon the appointment of the design team in July 2018. Stage 1, preliminary design, was approved in July 2019, and the project then progressed to stage 2(a), developed design, where the design team developed the agreed design option and accurately cost planned the project so that it could be lodged for statutory approvals, including planning permission.

Stage 2(a), developed design, was approved by the Department in August 2021, and the board of management and its design team were subsequently authorised to commence stage 2(b), detailed design. Stage 2(b) included the applications for planning permission, fire safety certification, disability access certification and the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission was secured for this project in April 2022.

The stage 2(b) submission was received by the Department in late August 2022. Following the Department’s review of this submission, an initial stage 2(b) approval letter was issued to the board of management last week. This included Department stage 2(b) comments for a design team review and a request for confirmation from the design team that, upon completion of this review, they are satisfied their tender documents are complete, correct and in compliance with Department technical guidance documents, building control regulations and public works tender-documentation requirements.

The design team was authorised to carry out the pre-qualification of building contractors in June 2022, in parallel with the completion of stage 2(b). The design team recently provided the Department with a draft pre-qualification report, which is currently under review. Upon receipt of the design team stage 2(b), confirmations and completion of pre-qualification process, the Department will contact the board of management regarding the progress of this project to tender stage.

The tender stage normally takes between six to eight months to complete and thereafter, subject to no unforeseen circumstances, the project will then progress to stage 4, construction. Currently, the design team estimates a construction period of 20 months.