Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress and timelines for delivery of a new school accommodation for post-primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4006/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The status of major building projects is as follows:

Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole (RN 91301D)

The project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Stage 2(b) report has been reviewed and the Design Team have submitted the Design Team Confirmations. The Design Team has recently completed the pre-qualification process.

As this project has a projected cost in excess of €20 million, it is a requirement under the Public Spending Code for the NDFA to carry out a Financial Robustness Check of the shortlist of prequalified main contractors.

Upon completion of this Financial Robustness Check and subject to no issues arising my Department will be in contact with the Design Team and school with regard to the further progression of this project to the next stage of architectural planning, Stage 3 - Tender. Subject to no issues arising a tender normally takes between 6 and 8 months to complete.

St. Joseph's College, Lucan (RN 62063V)

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy recently completed Stage 2(b) Detailed Design and was authorised to proceed to tender stage on 27th October. A Tender stage normally takes between 6-8 months to complete. The project is expected to commence on site in Quarter 2 of 2022.

Griffeen Community College (RN 76454S)

The permanent building project for Griffeen Community College is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build 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 a 1,000 pupil post-primary school building, including a 4 classroom Special Educational Needs Unit, was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in June 2021. A Request for Further Information (RFI) was received on 27th July 2021 and the response submitted to the local authority on 7th December 2021. A Clarification of Further Information was received from the Local Authority on 12th January 2022 with the response submitted to the local authority on 24^thJanuary 2022.

It is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

Lucan Community College (RN 70080T)

This project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. The Stage 2(b) report has been reviewed and the Design Team has carried out a final review of all tender documentation. The pre-qualification process, to select a shortlist of candidates to whom the project will be tendered, is completed. The Design Team are preparaing an application for Planning Permission as the existing Planning Permission is due to expire in July 2022. Upon grant of planning, my Department will be in contact with the school Patron with regard to the further progression of this project to the next stage of architectural planning, Stage 3 Tender Stage. Subject to no issues arising, a tender normally takes between 6 and 8 months to complete.