Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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A building project for the school referred to by the deputy is included in the Department of Education & Skills’ Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. This building project will provide a 16-classroom school on the existing school site. A new Design Team had to be appointed in 2018, as the brief was increased from 8 classrooms due to greater enrolments.

The Department gave approval in September of this year, to the school and Design Team to progress to Stage 2B of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design Stage which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. The Design Team is currently working on the Stage 2B Submission.

The School and Design Team contacted the Department about the possibility of an amendment to an existing Right of Way. The Department is exploring options in relation to this. Dublin City Council as landowner, pending the completion of the transfer to the Department of Education & Skills, is assisting in this regard. There was an objection to this proposal from Youth Work Ireland, which is located in a building adjacent to the school site.

The Department arranged a meeting in November with Youth Work Ireland to discuss this matter. This meeting had a positive resolution, with representatives of Youth Work Ireland reassured and pleased with the strategy proposed by the Department. Youth Work Ireland agreed to bring this option to its Board for consideration.

The Department is in regular contact with the school and Design Team to keep them updated on the status of the building project.