Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is likely to go to tender; the likely timescale for construction and provision of new permanent accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29572/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The project to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at Stage 2a (Developed Design) of the architectural planning process.

A tender exercise for a replacement Consultant Mechanical & Electrical Engineer has just been completed. The newly appointed Replacement Engineer will engage with the other members of the design team to complete Stage 2(a) to be followed by the conclusion of Stage 2(b).

Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification and Disability Access Certification have been secured. The conclusion of Stage 2(b) will include the preparation of tender documents.

Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.

School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in the future.