Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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416. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which ongoing discussions have taken place or are taking place with the various stakeholders with a view to providing new or extended schools in Celbridge, County Kildare, given the urgency of the situation and the need for a new school at a school (details supplied); the degree to which discussions have taken place with traffic management in Kildare County Council with particular reference to clear traffic routes to facilitate schools in an area of rapid population expansion; the extent to which progress has taken place in the past three months in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44612/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, building projects for the schools to which he refers are included in my Department's school building programme.

A new site will be required for this school campus development to cater for the permanent accommodation needs of these schools and the Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site, located at Donaghcumper.

I can confirm that agreement in principle has been reached with a landowner for the acquisition of the site and that ongoing work is progressing in respect of technical matters crucial to the delivery of the acquisition. These matters are being addressed as a priority. As part of the appraisal, traffic management analysis is being examined and the Department is actively engaging with Kildare County Council and the landowner on all aspects of the future operation of the proposed site.

Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the site acquisition, I am unable to elaborate further but I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department is anxious to progress the campus development.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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417. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the upgrading of facilities, extension or replacement of facilities at a school (details supplied); the total accommodation requirements being met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44613/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The 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. Following completion of the project the school will have a total accommodation of 16 mainstream classrooms and a 2-classroom Special Educational Needs Base.

The project is currently at Stage 1 of Architectural Planning, Preliminary Design and Site Investigations. A Stage 1 Stakeholders Meeting was held between the Board of Management, Project Manager, Design Team and officials from my Department earlier this month. Following that meeting, the Design Team have been requested to submit a Stage 1 Addendum in relation to the preferred design option, for review by my Department.

Upon receipt and review of the Addendum, my Department will contact the Board of Management and its Design Team in relation to the progression of the project.

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