Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills #the status of applications for school buildings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8372/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The current status of the projects referred to by the Deputy is as follows: 

Scoil Chronain (RN 19530H)

The school referred to by the Deputy has recently been assigned for delivery under my Department's Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning and construction. The project will now enter the Architectural Planning phase.

Officials in The Department of Education & Skills are currently co-ordinating the Legal Conveyancing in respect of the acquisition of two plots of land adjacent to the school in question. This process is very well advanced. Once this process is complete, a site suitable for the permanent needs of the school will have been assembled. These matters are being treated as priority.

Griffeen Community College (RN 76454S)

The school building project for the school in question has been assigned for delivery under the Department’s Design and Build programme.  This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning and construction.  The project is currently in architectural planning.  Site surveys have commenced and a Pre-Planning meeting has been held with the Local Authority in advance of preparing the Planning Application, which will be the next key milestone in the progression of the project. The Design Team is working towards submitting the planning application to the Council by the end of Quarter 3.

Officials in The Department of Education & Skills are currently finalising an agreement with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a site suitable for the permanent needs of Griffeen Community College. While there is general agreement in relation to Heads of Terms, there are some outstanding technical items that we are working to incorporate into the final HOT agreement which can then be taken forward to Legal Conveyancing stage. The architectural planning & design process is running in tandem with the aforementioned discussions. These matters are being treated as priority.

St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS, Lucan (RN 19542R & 19676P)

The replacement Design Team Consultant Architect tender process for this project has been completed and the design team is currently working on Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, which includes upgrading the design to ensure that new school buildings are Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the current Building Regulations.  In addition, the schools and the design team will be submitting a Brief Change Request, which will outline some additional refurbishment required in the existing school buildings.

Upon receipt and review of the Brief Change Request and Stage 2(b) report, my Department will revert to the schools regarding the further progression of this project.

Lucan Community College (RN 70080T)

This major building project is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. 

The Stage 2(b) report has been submitted to my Department for review by Dublin Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, who is the client for the project.

Upon review my Department will be in contact with the client regarding the further progression of this project.

Holy Family Community School (RN 91301D)

This major building project is also at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design). 

The Stage 2(b) report has been received and reviewed by my Department. Comments issued from my Department to the design team and amended documents have subsequently been submitted to my Department for further review.

Upon completion of this review my Department will be in contact with the school and design team regarding the further progression of this project.

Divine Mercy JNS & SNS, Balgaddy (RN 20187H & 19865S)

This major building project is also at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design). 

A revised Stage 2(b) report has been reviewed by my Department and comments issued to the school and its Design Team.  The Design Team Consultant Architect has recently withdrawn from this project.  A tender process to replace this consultant will commence shortly. 

Upon appointment of the replacement consultant, a review of the stage 2(b) documentation will be carried out and the Design Team will then arrange to submit confirmations that they have carried out a final review of the complete package of tender documents.

Upon receipt of these confirmations my Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of this project.