Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the need for the new building for a school (details supplied) to be prioritised as a matter of urgency; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31430/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Stage 2(b) Detailed Design Report was recently submitted to my Department by the Board of Management and its Design Team. Following receipt of that submission, my Department authorised the Board of Management to instruct its Design Team to commence the pre-qualification process for the assessment of suitably qualified contractors to which the project can be tendered. This authorisation was granted by my Department in order to expedite the tender process for this project by running the pre-qualification in tandem with the finalisation of Stage 2(b). The Design Team has commenced this process and the closing date for the e-tenders advertisement was 19 June 2017. The Design Team has informed my Department that it expects to complete its assessment of the pre-qualification submissions in the coming weeks and will then submit its report on the shortlist of contractors to my Department.

Following examination of the Stage 2(b) Report, it became apparent that the submission was incomplete and some additional items which should have been included in the original submission, were requested by my Department. A revised submission has been received which is currently under review. Upon completion of the review of the revised 2(b) submission my Department will immediately revert to the school with a timeframe to proceed to tender and construction stage.

The Stage 2(b) submission is an extremely vital part in the design process and is the final stage prior to the seeking of tenders for the construction of the school building.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding approving a new school building for a school (details supplied) since he last met with school management and teaching staff on the matter; the timeframe for the project delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31526/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Design Team appointment for the major building project referred to by the Deputy has recently been completed and the project has now entered early architectural planning / design stages.

My Department has authorised the Design Team to commence Stage 1 of architectural planning as per the Department’s Design Team Procedures 2012. Stage 1 is the initial sketch design stage and includes an analysis of all the constraints of the site, developing a preferred option and ensuring that that preferred option is the most optimum for the delivery of the project brief.

The project is included in the Departments six year Construction Programme and is scheduled therein for construction in 2019 - 2021.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding approving a new school building for a school (details supplied) since he last met the school authorities, management and staff on the matter; the timeframe for the project delivery in view of the fact that the new building is urgently required for the school due to school numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31527/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Design Team for the school building project to which the Deputy refers is finalising the Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design submission which will then be submitted to the Department for review. Following receipt and consideration of that report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.