Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a plan to extend the temporary accommodation for schools (details supplied) given the land ownership issues that are delaying the construction of the new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49329/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has reached agreement in principle with the Local Authority to acquire a site for the proposed development of a new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy. The Local Authority has provided my Department with consent to lodge planning permission for the new school on these lands while this acquisition is being concluded.

The permanent school building project has been assigned to my Department's Design and Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.

An application for planning permission for the new school was submitted to the Local Authority in June 2021. A Request for Further Information (RFI) has been received and my Department's Project Manager is actively working on the response to the RFI which will issue as soon as possible.

My Department is liaising with the patron regarding the school's interim accommodation needs.