Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commencement of building for a school (details supplied) when he expects planning permission to be applied for and the school to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27964/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will provide a 16-classroom school on the site. The original brief for the school was for 8 classrooms but was increased due to greater enrolments. The need to replace the Design Team arose from a fees uplift request for each member of the design team which greatly exceeded the 50% upper limit increase allowed under the EU Procurement Directive.

The appointment of a Replacement Design Team (all disciplines - Replacement Architect, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, Civil and Structural Engineer and Quantity Surveyor) is completed.

The new Design Team was instructed to commence Stage 2A – Developed Sketch Scheme in March 2018 and is working on the submission for review by the Department’s professional and technical team. An updated topographical survey is required mapping the changes due to recent LUAS works adjoining the site.

Provided no issues arise and following approval of the Stage 2A submission by the Department, the Design Team can then be instructed to progress to Stage 2B – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents.

The Department is committed to advancing the building project for the permanent school building as quickly as possible.