Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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925. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will categorise the construction of a school site (details supplied) as essential under level 5 restrictions given the commitment to commence construction in quarter 1 of 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15403/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.

My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. The tender process to establish the new Framework including the school referred to by the Deputy, is expected to be concluded shortly. My Department has confirmed that as provided for under S.I. No. 4 of 2021, the construction or development of essential educational facilities at primary and post-primary level, including school building projects, which will provide additional capacity for students or involve essential maintenance or refurbishment works in support of the continued provision of education may continue. If necessary, when the project for the school referred to by the Deputy is due to commence on site, this school building project may be so designated.  

My Department will keep the school authority and its Patron Body updated as the project progresses to completion of the tender process and into the construction stage.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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926. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of a new building for a school (details supplied). [15450/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A building project for the new Gaelscoil referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's current Building Programme.

Officials from my Department have been working closely with Cork City Council towards acquiring a permanent site for this school.

A potential site option has been identified and discussions are ongoing with the landowner with a view to acquiring this site.  Once the site has been acquired the project will then progress to the architectural design & planning stages.

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

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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927. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of planning applications in respect of each new school due to open in September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15467/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Work is currently ongoing in relation to sourcing suitable interim accommodation in respect of each new school due to open in September 2021.  Pending agreement on accommodation arrangements it is not possible to comment on any potential planning applications at this time.