Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise an issue relating to Ballinspittle National School, a small country school in a village just south of Kinsale. According to the most recent census, the population of Ballinspittle has grown by over 10%. It is a unique little part of the world that has so much going for it but there has been an issue with schools in the area for at least a decade. The majority of the schools in the locality, taking in Kinsale, Ballinspittle, Rennies, Minane Bridge, Belgooly and Dunderrow, have been upgraded but there are two schools in the district that have not been upgraded. One is Summercove National School and the other is Ballinspittle National School.

I seek clarity on the next phase for Ballinspittle National School. A substantial project went to tender during the summer comprising a brand new second floor, a library, offices, a general purpose building, a special education room, an administration room and a store room. The tender closed at the start of August and the question now relates to the next phase. I want to get clarity on how this project will be progressed. What is the timeline in terms of when we will see shovels in the ground? This development will have a hugely positive impact on the community. I accept that this is a complicated building project that will probably take place over two phases. It may be necessary to knock half of the school and then build the other half. Clarity on how this project will proceed is very important.

There has been significant development in the area in recent years. There are eight mainstream classes in Ballinspittle National School. There are four special resource teachers, two SNAs and over 200 pupils attending the school, which is a significant size in that part of the world. The newly appointed principal, Ms Sheila Wall, is doing a fantastic job.

I seek clarity on the next phases of the project. Tenders have been received. Have they been opened? Is there an approved tenderer and what is the timeline for this new school to be built?

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister provide me with a copy of the report? It is important to get clarity on the construction phase. The period of 20 months is a similar period of time. I am aware the proposal is to knock half of the existing school and to build a new structure, and then to knock the other half and build the other structure.

I refer to the 20-month building timeframe. When will we get to a point by which the appropriate tenders are done so that we can get to the next phase and have a definitive timeline of when the building will be opened? I stress the need for this development as the population is growing. It is a positive school, both socially and for the community. Can we get clarification on when the new school will be opened?

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I again thank the Senator for raising the important issue of Ballinspittle National School's new project. I hear the Senator's concerns about the population growing, how there is a real need for this school in a strong community that is very positive towards it, and about the delivery of this new important project.

From the information provided to me, I understand the project is at the end of the design team stage 2(b), confirmations and completion of pre-qualification process. As soon as that is complete, which I believe will be soon, it will then move to tender stage which takes between six to eight months, with typically 20 months thereafter for the construction period, although that can change depending on the complexity of the construction.

That is all the information I have to hand. If I can get further information, I will endeavour to provide it to the Senator.