Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school development (details supplied). [43177/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The building project is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build programme.  This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction. 

An application for Planning Permission in respect of the works was submitted to Cork County Council on 26th September 2019.  As with all school building projects, the exact timeframe for delivery of the school will be dependent on the grant of planning permission.

The schools Board of Management will be kept informed of progress by my Department's officials.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school project (details supplied). [43180/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of Architectural Planning. 

A Design Team was appointed but a number of site issues were required to be addressed which precluded the progression of the project pending their resolution. The school has now confirmed to the Department that all site issues have been resolved in order to facilitate the progression of this building project.

The school also requested an increase to the original Project Brief from a Principal plus 12 mainstream teachers up to a Principal plus 16 mainstream teachers with 2 SEN class bases. My Department has approved the increased project brief on the understanding that the additional area can be accommodated on the proposed site.

Under EU Procurement Regulations a new procurement procedure is required to be undertaken where there are substantial modifications to a project. As such, a new Design Team is required to be appointed. My Department is in contact with the school authorities in that regard. 

This major building project is included in my Department's Construction Program being delivered under the National Development Plan.