Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

171. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for further delay in progressing with a new school (details supplied); and the efforts being made to move this building project forward. [14484/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.

A letter recently issued to the school and the Design Team outlining the projected timeframe for progression of this project to tender and construction stage and the steps involved.  In that context, my Department anticipates that this school building project will commence construction in Quarter 3 2019.

The current status of this project is that it is expected to shortly complete stage 2(b) of the architectural planning process. This is the final stage of the design process for any school.  The Design Team has indicated that it expects to complete and submit the stage 2(b) report for this project by early April 2018.  The review by the Department of the stage 2(b) report generally takes between 10 to 12 weeks.

Upon receipt and review of the stage 2(b) report and providing no other issues arise it is projected that this project will be authorised to complete pre-qualification of Contractors in Quarter 3 2018.