Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1079. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if further progress has been made with regard to the planning application for a permanent school (details supplied) to be located on the Mill Road, Drogheda, County Louth; if further updates will be provided in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20552/21]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1080. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if further progress has been made in relation to the urgent need for additional accommodation ahead of the new academic year on the site of a school (details supplied) since her Department confirmed it would remain on Mill Road, Drogheda, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20553/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 and 1080 together.

My Department is fully aware of the additional accommodation needs of the school to which the Deputy refers and work is currently ongoing to ensure delivery of same for the 2021 academic year.

As the Deputy may be aware, agreement in principle has been reached to acquire a site for the permanent location of the school referred to. This agreement is subject to contract, conveyancing and satisfactory grant of full planning permission. The location of the permanent site (circa 11 acres in size) will incorporate the current temporary site at Mill Road, Drogheda at which the school is located.

The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. The project will proceed into early architectural planning which involves site surveys, school design stages and the preparation of statutory applications. A pre planning meeting with be arranged with the local authority in advance of preparing a Planning Application. Once statutory approvals have been secured, the project will proceed to tender and construction stages.