Written answers

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Photo of Duncan SmithDuncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school at the Curragh, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44098/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is currently finalising a site identification & deliverability exercise in order to technically appraise suitable shortlisted sites within the relevant school planning areas, for the post primary school to which you refer. This exercise is nearing completion, in line with our comprehensive site selection criteria, technical consideration and discussion with Kildare County Council.

Preliminary discussions have also commenced with landowners with a view to establishing availability and market expectations on selected lands, before a preferred choice can be fully assessed. Further announcements will be made when it becomes possible to do so.

Due to obvious commercial sensitivities, I cannot elaborate any further at this juncture but please rest assured that the project (and site selection in particular) is being given due consideration and attention.

Photo of Duncan SmithDuncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provision of a secondary school at St. Paul's, Monasterevin, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44099/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major school building project to provide new secondary school accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy commenced on site in late October 2020 and the contract duration is approximately 20 months.

Photo of Duncan SmithDuncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44100/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. The project is currently at Stage 1 of architectural planning which entails preliminary site surveys, location suitability and initial sketch scheme.

A review in 2019 of the demand for post-primary provision in the area resulted in an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1,300 pupils.

The Stage 1 report has been received by my Department. A meeting was convened last month between officials from my Department, the Board of Management and its Design Team to discuss the report and further information is to be provided by the Design Team. Once received and reviewed, my Department will be in contact with the school and its Design Team with regard to the further progression of the project.

Photo of Duncan SmithDuncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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206. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a primary school extension at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44101/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A major extension/ refurbishment project for the school referred to by the Deputy has recently been authorized by my Department to proceed to tender for the appointment of a Building Contractor. The closing date for the completed tender returns is mid-December.

Subject to no significant issues arise during the tender process my Department expects that the project will progress to site in the second quarter of 2021 with a contract duration of approximately 26 months.

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