James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the development of a school (details supplied) in view of An Bord Pleanála approval; if a contract for the new works has been awarded; if so, when it is expected that work will begin; the target date for the school reopening; the substantial improvements that will be made compared to the previous school; if playing fields will be part of the new school; if the legalities in this regard have been completed; if the patronage and management of the new school will be maintained based on the previous school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31029/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The building project referred to by the Deputy will consist of the construction of a new part single storey, part two storey and part three storey post-primary school of 6,786sqm to provide general classrooms, specialised classrooms, PE Hall, general purpose area, a unit for pupils with multiple disability visual impairment, ancillary teaching and staff accommodation. The development will include 3 new hard play courts.

Playing fields are not part of the brief for this project.

The project is currently at Stage 2B of Architectural Planning. A third party planning appeal to An Bord Pleanála has significantly delayed the project from progressing to the next stage which is tender stage. A decision to grant permission was received in early June with a number of conditions that are being followed up by the Design Team. 

On satisfactory completion of Stage 2B and providing no other issues arise the Department will be in a position to authorise the project to proceed to pre-qualification of contractors. In March, my Department wrote to the school outlining the projected timeframe for progression of this project to tender and construction stages in Quarter 4 of 2018.

The patronage and management of the school will not be affected by the school building project.