Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a major building project for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13208/19]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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350. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commencement of a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when the school will commence; and if all issues regarding ownership of the site have now been finalised. [13457/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 350 together.

The major building project for this school 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.

Following a legal challenge to the pre-qualification process for the main contract from one unsuccessful contractor a new invitation to pre-qualify will issue shortly on the e-tenders platform.

When the pre-qualification process for the main contract and reserved specialists contracts is complete, the project will then be progressed to tender stage.

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

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the proposed extension of a school (details supplied); the status of the project; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13211/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).

I can inform the Deputy that the NDFA has started preparations for the appointment of a design team for the project. This appointment will be a key first step in the design and construction stages. While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the proposed extension of a school (details supplied); the status of the project; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13212/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The process of Pre-Qualification of contractors for the project in question is underway. The Pre-qualification process culminates in the compilation of shortlists of suitable candidates for each respective discipline.

The draft pre-qualification report was submitted to my Department for review in January 2019. The Department has issued comments to be actioned by the Design Team with regard to finalising the process. An updated report is awaited.

When this review is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage which normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.