Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter on a number of occasions and again today. The large-scale capital project for Rush National School is included in the Department of Education’s construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework.

The project brief for Rush National School includes the construction of a new two-storey, 32-classroom school with two classrooms for children with special educational needs, a general purpose hall and ancillary accommodation. External works include the demolition of the existing single-storey school building, the removal of existing temporary accommodation, a new boundary treatment, landscaping, staff car parking area, ball courts, play areas and ancillary works. The project is at architectural planning stage three - tender action and award.

A tender report was received from the design team in 2023 and was reviewed by the Department of Education. During the course of this review, it was noted that the planning permission was due to expire in December 2023 and a new planning permission application would be required. Given the passage of time since tenders were returned and the requirement for a new planning application, the design team was authorised in July 2024 to collapse the former tender procedure and proceed with the new planning application. This planning application will include decarbonisation measures in accordance with technical design guidance. The design team has liaised with Fingal County Council accordingly. The updated tender documents will include the updated mechanical and electrical requirements in accordance with decarbonisation measures and compliance with any statutory requirements.

The due diligence by the Department of Education is a critical part of the overall completion of the stage three process and is critical to ensuring quality and value for money and that projects are progressed within overall programme parameters. The large-scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and Department of Education officials will keep the school authority updated as stage three progresses.