Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1083. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in having the new build project for a school (details supplied); the timetable of works for same; and when the school community and the wider community will receive a new school building as promised. [41321/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

In late 2020, additional provision for a 2 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) Base was approved for this project. In January 2021, the School and its Design Team received an extension to its current planning, providing for minor modifications and a 2 classroom SEN. The School and its Design Team are now required to submit a Stage 2(b) Addendum Report incorporating the SEN provision into the Design.

My Department has been in contact with the Design Team and it is expected that the report will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) Addendum report, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the further progression of the project at that time.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1084. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to a school (details supplied); the interventions that can be made to assist the school address minor and major maintenance problems as it awaits the commencement and completion of the planned new-build and will she comment on the issue. [41322/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to inform the Deputy that the responsibility for maintaining schools and their grounds lies with the school authority in the first instance.

The main grant funding mechanisms for undertaking works of the nature referred to by the Deputy are the Annual Minor Works Grant or the Summer Works Scheme. The Minor Works Grant last issued to primary schools in December 2020 and provides flexibility for schools to manage and prioritise necessary small-scale works.

The Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for undertaking medium to larger-scale improvement works in school buildings. This Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and the Department are currently addressing category 2 and 6 projects (toilets and roofs).

The Emergency Works Scheme is available to all recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools to provide funding in an Emergency Situation. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1085. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the new build for a school (details supplied) has been delayed; if the school is to frontload the ASD unit which was included in the full new build programme; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that by separating the ASD unit out, the full-build and ASD unit build project are both being delayed. [41323/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

In late 2020, additional provision for a 2 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) Base was approved for this project. In January 2021, the School and its Design Team received an extension to its current planning, providing for minor modifications and a 2 classroom SEN. The School and its Design Team are now required to submit a Stage 2(b) Addendum Report incorporating the SEN provision into the Design.

My Department has been in contact with the Design Team and it is expected that the report for the main contract will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) Addendum report, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the further progression of the project at that time.

Pending delivery of the major building project an ASA application has been received from the school. In February 2021, the school was granted approval under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2021 for conversion works to 2 existing classrooms to create 1 Class SEN Base including safe space, accessible toilet and multi-sensory room.

My Department understands that the School and its Design Team has recently completed the Tender Process for these works and that a tender report will be submitted to the Department for review shortly. Upon receipt and review of this tender report a decision on the progression of this project will be made on the information provided at that time.