Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2b – Detailed Design.

This project was authorised to commence the Pre-Qualification of Contractors in May 2018. The tender notice for the main contract was published on eTenders on 7 June 2018 with a deadline for receipt of documentation of 13 July 2018. The tender notices for the Mechanical and Electrical Reserved Specialists were advertised on eTenders on 21 June 2018 with a deadline for receipt of documentation of 22 July 2018. The pre-qualification and shortlisting of suitable contractors normally takes between 8 and 12 weeks to complete. My Department has been informed by the Design Team Leader that this process is almost complete. When pre-qualification is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage.

The project is currently profiled to commence construction in Q3 2019. However, my Department has advised the school that if the project is in a position to commence construction earlier in 2019, my Department can facilitate this.

Regarding the site, legal representatives for both parties are working together with a view to concluding the conveyancing. All parties continue the work to ensure the acquisition completes at the earliest possible date and at this point it is still not anticipated that the completion of conveyancing will impact on the timelines for delivery of the building project.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.

In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Based on the current analysis, this need can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.

I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school in the South Kildare school planning areas, additional capacity in the region of 1,700 school places will be provided when projects at the following four schools in this area are completed:

- St. Conleth's Community College, Newbridge;

- Athy Community College, Athy;

- Cross and Passion Secondary School, Kilcullen; and

- St Paul's Secondary School, Monasterevin.

A building project for the Patrician College Newbridge is also included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.

However, in line with the ongoing review of school planning areas generally, I can confirm that my Department is currently reviewing provision at post-primary level across the school planning areas in South Kildare and it is anticipated that this review will be completed in October.