Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the completion of a proposed new school (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason for the delay in progress; and the amount of rent that is paid each year for the privately rented premises that houses the existing school. [30445/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy progressed to an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, in September 2019. Stage 2(b) includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate & Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. All Statutory approvals have been secured and the Design Team is currently working on the completion of the Stage 2(b) report for submission to my Department.

My Department understands from the Design Team Leader that it is expected that the Stage 2(b) report for this project will be submitted to the Department for review in November 2020.

My Department provided an update on the project to the school authority as recently as the 6th October and the Design Team are also in communication with the school to keep it informed of progress.

Until the Stage 2(b) Report has been completed, submitted and reviewed on any school building project the project cannot proceed to stage 3 - Tender Stage. However, once the Stage 2(b) report has been received and reviewed my Department will revert to school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.

Pending the delivery of the new school building, my Department is funding the rental of a premises at a cost of €328,227.20, inclusive of VAT per annum.