Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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436. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the construction of a school (details supplied). [8773/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.

The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.

The tender process to appoint the Design Team for this major project is currently underway.

The Project Manager is in contact with the school authorities in relation to the appointment of the Design Team, which is anticipated to be completed in Quarter 2 of 2023.

Upon appointment, the Design Team will proceed to the initial stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 1 – Preliminary Design, where the Design Team will assess the site and prepare their initial sketch schemes. A preferred design option, including the scope and extent of works to be carried out will be established during this early stage.

Until the project design is at a stage where statutory approvals, planning permission, etc are secured by the Design Team, it will not be possible to provide an estimated onsite date.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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437. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects the construction phase of a new building for a school (details supplied) to commence, following the tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8805/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A major building project for the school in question has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council.

Following submission of the Tender Report, the Department recently authorised Louth County Council to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. The Supplementary Tender Report was subsequently submitted to the Department in recent weeks and is currently under review. The Department will make contact with Louth County Council following completion of this review.

Running parallel to the review of this particular Supplementary Tender Report, the Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.