Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Kyne for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding the major building project for Scoil Chaitríona junior and senior schools in Renmore, Galway city. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan, NDP, as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. The major building project for Scoil Chaitríona junior and senior schools will be delivered under the Department's accelerated delivery of architectural planning and tendering, ADAPT, programme. The ADAPT programme uses professional external project managers to co-ordinate and drive the design team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the projects through the stages of architectural planning, to tender and construction.

The brief for the joint major project for Scoil Chaitríona includes the demolition of the existing school buildings and the development of two new replacement 24-classroom schools, plus classrooms for pupils with special educational needs, at the current site in Renmore. The stage 1 site assessment and proposed design options are currently under review by the design team and a revised report is anticipated to be submitted to the Department for consideration at the end of quarter 2 of 2025. The design team is also conducting a review of all decant options within the red-line boundary of the current school and is preparing to submit its revised report to the Department for consideration. The design team and Department officials will advise the school authorities of further developments in respect of these decant options and the progression of the stage 1 review.

It is important to reflect on what the Senator has suggested regarding sites and the visits with the Department and the design team. I will liaise with the Department and take his concerns back to it. This is a major piece of infrastructure for the education system in Galway city. It is a significant development and I understand the Senator has been interested in it for a long time. I will take the issues back and ensure there is adequate correspondence and visits between the Department, the design team and the school authorities to move the project forward.