Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a further update in respect of a large-scale major school project in Naas, County Kildare (details supplied); the budget allocation; the date on which it will be complete; and if she will set out any factors that are delaying delivery, and the remedy to same. [8411/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The large scale capital project for the completion of a school referred to by the deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. A tender report is under review by Department Officials. When this review is complete my Department will be in contact with the School Authority and the Design Team to progress the project and to authorise the issue of the Letter of Intent to the lowest tenderer.

I want to reassure the Deputy and the Mercy Convent Primary School community that the school building project will be progressed and delivered.

My Department will update the school authorities when there is a further update on the progression of the major project.

Until the contractor is appointed it is not possible to provide an estimated completion date. However once the contractor has been appointed, it is expected that it will take approx 15 months to complete the project.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify why a school (details supplied) has been refused approval for an application under the emergency works programme for an urgent project to address a situation that is causing health and safety hazards to staff and children in this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8427/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Emergency Works application to which the Deputy refers sought funding for the replacement of floor coverings throughout the school. The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding for unforeseen emergencies. Issues such as floor coverings would generally fall under the area of general maintenance, and funding such as the Minor Works Grant is made available by the Department to assist schools with issues such as these. The complete replacement of floor coverings would not fall under an emergency situation and, as such, the application was refused by the EWS team within my Department.

The school appealed the EWS decision and the Department asked for an itemised cost breakdown (ICB) for only the area(s) which might be giving rise to the health and safety issues, to date this ICB has not been submitted. If the school wish to send in this ICB the EWS team can assess the appeal in light of the ICB.