Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the development of a new school (details supplied); if she will provide details on the timeline for completion of the school; the facilities that will be available at the new school development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25611/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme. This is a joint building project with St Mary’s Special School to provide 2 new schools for pupils with special educational needs on a greenfield site, and is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.

This project has recently completed Stage 2a – Developed Design, where the design team develop the design and accurately cost plan the agreed design option to a stage where the project is fully cost planned and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.

The Design Team have lodged the application for planning permission and are proceeding to progress with detailed design and preparation of tender documents as part of Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning.

Until all statutory approvals have been secured, it is not possible to provide an estimated start on site date.

Upon receipt, review and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will then update the schools, design team and project manager as to the further progression of the project.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a major building project for the school to which he refers is included on the Department's school building programme and is currently at project brief stage.

There are standard procedures to be followed in relation to the progression of a building project, which involve finalising the project brief, the appointment of a Design Team, preliminary design, detailed design, planning permission and then ultimately proceeding to tender and construction. It is not therefore possible at this stage to provide an estimated timeframe for this project.

My Department will continue to engage directly with the school authority as part of this process.