Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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335. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions that have been undertaken between the school building unit and South Dublin County Council to deliver the necessary access road to the permanent school site of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6710/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy 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 initial pre-planning meeting with South Dublin County Council was held on 2 September 2020 at which an access road to the school site was discussed. However, on receipt of notification from South Dublin County Council of its intention to undertake a masterplan of the Rathcoole area, including the proposed school site, 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.

Following the conclusion of the masterplanning exercise by South Dublin County Council and following consultation with the Council, my Department intends to proceed with a planning application for the school on the existing Department-owned site. A second pre-planning meeting with the Council was held on 30th June 2022 to discuss the road proposal and access to the site. The discussions from this meeting are informing the progression of the re-design and the preparation of the planning application for the school on its permanent site including the delivery of the necessary access road.

My Department will continue to liaise with the school and their patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.