Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 5 March 2020, the progress made to date in developing a purpose-built school for the pupils of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16235/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The acquisition of a site to accommodate a permanent school building for the school to which the Deputy refers is at a very advanced stage. 

Due to the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further at this time.  I can, however, assure you that the acquisition of a new site for the school is a priority for the Department.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the development of a new school further to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16236/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for Scoil an Chroi Naofa Ballinasloe is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission was secured for this project in 2011.  In October 2016 an extension to planning was secured which expires in November, 2021. While planning permission is in place, there have been a number of delays associated with this project and it is likely at this stage that a new planning application will be necessary.

My Department met with representatives of the school on 25th February, 2021, at their request, to discuss the options available to the School to progress this project. My Department advised the School of the options available to them and the School Authorities are to consider the options and revert to the Department.

At the meeting my officials also requested the School Authorities to send the revised Stage 2(b) Report, which has been forwarded to them by their Design Team for sign off in November 2020 to the Department with the School’s comments for the Department’s consideration. This revised Stage 2(b) Report has since been received by the Department. My officials will proceed to review the revised Stage 2(b) report and will revert to the school with its comments shortly.