Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current position of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8649/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the application for all statutory consents, including Planning Permission, Disability Access Certification and Fire Safety Certification and also the preparation of tender documentation.

The Stage 2(b) report has been received and reviewed by my Department, and comments have issued to the Design Team for their consideration.

To expedite the project, the prequalification of contractors is being carried out in parallel with the review of Stage 2(b).

The Planning Permission Application was submitted to the Local Authority and planning permission has been granted. The Disability Access Certificate has also been granted. The Fire Safety Certificate application was lodged with the Fire Officer in August 2021 and an extensive additional information request was received in September 2021. The Design Teams response to the Fire Officer was submitted, and their response is pending.

An Enabling Works to divert electricity cables at the site for the new school will need to be carried out in advance of the building works for the Major Project. The Project Manager and Design Team are in consultation with the Local Authority and the ESB with regards to this.

Upon completion of the prequalification of contractors' process, and the Enabling Works, and once the Design Team are satisfied that their Tender documents are in order and comply with all Departmental and Building Regulation requirements, the next stage for this project is Stage 3 Tender Action. A Tender stage normally takes between 8-12 months, subject to no issues arising.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under my Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction.

My Department is currently assessing overall requirements for 2023 and associated work programme and will update individual schools of same in due course.