Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the building of a new school building for a school (details supplied). [35258/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware a building project for the new Gaelscoil in question 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.

I appreciate that the process is taking a considerable length of time but I can assure you that the acquisition of a suitable site for the school is very active on the programme of site acquisitions and every effort is being made to secure the suitable site for the school as expeditiously as possible.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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38. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated total cost and capital being made available for the construction of a school (details supplied). [34715/21]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the expected beginning and completion of construction work at a school (details supplied). [34714/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 67 together.

The brief for the project referred to by the Deputy is to provide a new replacement school building designed for special needs pupils on a greenfield site. The project will deliver a single storey building, providing an 8 classroom special school and appropriate ancillary accommodation including a General Purpose room, a Home Economics Room, a Daily Living Skills room, library and resource area.

The major building project referred to by the Deputy has recently been authorised to progress to Stage 2b – Detailed Design which includes applications for all statutory consents, including Planning Permission, Disability Access Certificate and Fire Safety Certificate and also the preparation of tender documentation. The Planning Permission Application was received by the Local Authority on June 1st 2021. Until the final grant of statutory applications has been received from the local authority, and the Stage 2(b) submission has been received by my Department for review, it is not possible to give a definitive timeline with regard to an expected on site date.

This major building project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. Due to commercial sensitivities it is not possible to provide details of funding in respect of this school.