Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; the estimated start date for the construction of the new building; the estimated dates for both the completion of the construction and the children being moved into the new building from the inadequate prefabs which currently make up the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26806/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design.

This project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework.

The Stage 2(b) report has been reviewed by my Department and comments issued to the Design Team in early April. The Design Team are required to carry out a final review of all of the tender documentation to ensure compliance with Department and Building Regulation requirements. Written confirmation from each Design Team member will be submitted to my Department when this work has been completed.

In order to expedite the progression of this major building project my Department authorised the Design Team to commence a pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors. The pre-qualification process is currently on-going.

Upon receipt of Design Team confirmations and completion of the pre-qualification process and subject to no issues arising, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities and the Design Team with regard to the further progression of this project to the next stage of architectural planning, Stage 3 (Tender Stage).

Tender Stage usually takes between 6 and 8 months to complete.