John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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540. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of an extension for a school (details supplied); the stage the plans are at; when the works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36928/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a major project to provide an extension to the school in question is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). The accommodation brief is currently being finalised and it is intended that the project, when completed, will provide capacity for 1,000 students.

My Department approved interim accommodation for the school and the installation of this accommodation has been devolved to the patron for delivery. My Department understands that planning permission for this accommodation has been applied for and assuming that this is granted by the local authority, it is anticipated that the accommodation will be in place for September 2021.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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541. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of an extension for a school (details supplied); the timeframe for same; the site on which the extension will be located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36929/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.

The NDFA is currently undertaking the second phase of the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design stage, obtains the necessary statutory planning permission, and moves the project onward to tender and construction in due course. 

Conveyancing for this site acquisition is at an advanced stage.  Due to the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further at this stage. 

As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion.

Please be assured that the NDFA is engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a site has been identified for a permanent location for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36930/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that Officials from my Department have identified a number of potential site options in Wicklow Town for the permanent location for Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School and negotiations are ongoing with the landowners.

Officials are working towards acquiring the most suitable site for this school while ensuring value for money for the exchequer is achieved. Officials from Wicklow County Council are assisting my Department in this regard.

While a site acquisition process is underway and, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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543. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address concerns about delays to the building work for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36936/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the school to which the deputy refers is being devolved for delivery to Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). 

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been issued to LOETB. The next step is for the ETB to procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course.

My Department has also approved rental of a suitable building in the locality for use by the school until the permanent new school building is completed. Refurbishment works to cater for increased enrolments has commenced on site.  This rental is effective from 1st September 2020 until this project is completed. 

As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. Please be assured that the ETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will prioritise works at a school (details supplied); the status of the efforts of her Department to attain permanent accommodation for the school community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36937/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was established under the patronage divesting process in 2015 and is currently in interim accommodation pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.

Under the patronage divesting process, a school can be opened where a school building became, or was due to become available as a result of an amalgamation/closure of an existing school.  In some areas, including in the case of Birr, in responding to demand for diversity where existing patrons were unable make school properties available, my Department also included an examination of properties held in public ownership. 

In this regard, my Department has been liaising with a State body for some time in relation to the potential for part of a building in its ownership in Birr to become the permanent home for the school.  

Such projects for divested schools can involve complex factors and my Department is in the process of firming up on costings and related matters in accordance with the Department’s normal capital appraisal process, in line with the updated Public Spending Code.

My Department will update the school authorities once the process of firming up on costings and related matters is complete.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.  Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.