Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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455. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress and timelines for delivery of new school accommodation for post-primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10923/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole (RN 91301D)

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy was authorised to proceed to tender stage on 11^thFeb 2022.  A Tender stage normally takes between 6-8 months to complete.  The project is expected to commence on site in Quarter 4 of 2022.

St Joseph's College, Lucan (RN 60263V) 

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy was authorised to proceed to tender stage on 27^thOctober 2021.  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.

The Grant of Planning decision was received from the Local Authority on 24^thFebruary 2022.  The next step in the progression of this project is the preparation of tender documentation.  Once this stage is complete, the project will then proceed to tender stage. 

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 preparing 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.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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456. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of progress and the timelines for the delivery of new school accommodation for schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10924/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Scoil Chrónáin RN 19530H

The permanent school building project for Scoil Chronáin has been assigned to my Department’s Design & 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. 

The planning application for Scoil Chrónáin was submitted to the local authority on the 18th August 2021 and the final grant of planning permission issued on 24th November 2021.

My Department is considering the timeline for the progression to tender of a number of Design & Build projects including the permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy and will advise the school's patron body further as soon as possible. In the interim, my Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.

St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS, Lucan RN 19542R& 19676P 

The Board of Management of both these schools have agreed to a new schedule of accommodation to include a new 24 classroom school and 3 classroom Special Education Needs base for each school.  My Department will be in further contact with the schools in the context of the steps to be taken to progress the project to the next stage of the architectural planning process.

Divine Mercy JNS 19865S & SNS RN 20187H

The major building project for Divine Mercy Jnr & Snr schools is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design.  The replacement Consultant Architect is currently carrying out a due diligence review of the Stage 2(b) tender documentation, previously prepared, in conjunction with the other Design Team members. My Department has recently approved the addition of a 2 Class SEN Base for both schools, and the replacement Architect will also include for this in addition to their due diligence report.

Upon receipt and review, my Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of this project, including pre-qualification of contractors.

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain (RN 19855P) & Gaelscoil na Camogie (RN 19991A)

The major building project for Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain 19855P & Gaelscoil na Camogie 19991A is currently at an advanced stage of the tender process.  The project is expected to commence on-site end of Quarter 2 2022.The contract duration is approximately 15 months.

Rathcoole ETNS RN 20549P

The permanent school building project for Rathcoole ETNS has been assigned to my Department’s Design & 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. 

The school and its patron body were advised by my Department in August 2021 that it would not be possible to proceed at that time with the proposed planning application for the school as South Dublin County Council had advised my Department of its intention to undertake a masterplan of the Rathcoole area, including the proposed school site.  The local authority indicated that the proposed masterplan is important for the development of the area with its purpose being to examine an integrated solution and synergies between environmental, educational, housing and recreational objectives for the area. The masterplan once completed will inform the planning application for the school.  An update from South Dublin County Council in relation to the masterplan is expected in March 2022.

My Department will continue to provide suitable interim accommodation for the school until such time as the permanent accommodation can be delivered.