Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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652. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the review of the second tender report for a school (details supplied); when the school can expect to be contacted on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1535/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 661 together.

The large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of a joint campus project with another primary school and a post-primary school. My Department authorised the Design Team to retender the project as the first tranche of tenders were deemed unviable. The Design Team applied for a new planning permission due to a change in the Planning Acts introduced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Sept 2021 which removed the option to extend a planning permission. Following a Request for Further Information from the Local Authority, the grant of planning permission was received in June 2023.

In parallel, the Main Contractor Tender report was received and reviewed by my Department and the Tender report in respect of the Reserve Specialist Contractors was received from the Design Team.

Upon completion of the review of the Reserve Specialist Tender Report, my Department will be in contact with the School Authorities and the Design Team regarding further progression of the project.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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653. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the capital project to construct a 32-room new school building for a school (details supplied) for which funding was secured in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1561/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project, to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) for the provision of a new 32-classroom primary school and a 2-class SEN base.

Following receipt of a detailed design and planning report from LCETB's design team, the Department recommended enhancements to the project, which related principally to the proposed decarbonisation strategy and project phasing requirements for the school.

The Stage 2b addendum report requested, including an updated cost plan was recently received into the Department and is currently being reviewed by Department officials. Once this review is completed, my Department will be in contact with LCETB in regards to the next steps to progress this project.

The Department will continue to work closely with LCETB and its Design Team in this regard.