Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to provide a school (details supplied) with temporary classrooms for the coming year; if the planning application will be through in time to provide these classrooms; if not, the emergency planning powers available to address this issue; if a project manager has been appointed for this work; his plans if these temporary classrooms will not be ready in September 2020; and the status of the location for the permanent school. [10060/20]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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A Project Manager has been appointed to assist my Department in the delivery of interim accommodation for the new schools to be established in 2020 and 2021. A planning application for the school to which the Deputy refers was lodged with the relevant Local Authority on 20 May 2020 and a decision is awaited. The tendering process for the procurement of prefabricated accommodation for the project is currently ongoing.

It is envisaged that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation for the 2020/2021 academic year. In anticipation of any potential delays on the decision on the planning application due to the current Covid-19 situation, contingency accommodation will be made available for the school on the Citywest Education Campus on a short-term basis until such time as the project for its planned interim accommodation is completed.

The permanent project for the school 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 commence Architectural Planning. The permanent site for the project located at Coolamber Drive, Rathcoole is in the ownership of my Department.

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the land behind the temporary classrooms for a school (details supplied) will now be used for temporary classrooms for a new educate together school; the reason the land is not being used for a permanent building for the school; the reason there has been no communication with the school on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10061/20]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The permanent building for the Gaelscoil to which the Deputy refers will also be progressed at the same location. The school has been advised that its permanent building project has 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 commence Architectural Planning.

My Department was in correspondence with the School in March 2020 outlining the position and advised that a meeting would be arranged with the School to discuss the matter. Unfortunately, due to the current Covid-19 situation it has not yet been possible to make such arrangements, a meeting will be facilitated as soon as circumstances allow.

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