Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers is devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).

My Department approved a submission from the school authority to increase the original brief in the context of a significant increase in projected new enrolments in the area. This allowed for a project to cater for a 1,000 pupil school plus 6 special education needs classes. This welcomed change to the project brief meant that time was required to amend the detailed drawings before the planning submission.

A planning application was submitted to Wicklow County Council in Q4 2023 who have requested further information, which the Design Team are currently in the process of procuring the additional surveys requested. KWETB will submit the Stage 2b report for review once the necessary statutory planning permissions have been obtained.

Subject to any further issues arising during the planning process, the project will proceed to tender and construction in due course. It is not possible to provide an accurate timeline for the project at this stage.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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532. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost for these works. [12961/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The contract to build St Patrick's NS in Corduff comprised 2 phases with phase 1 being the construction of 16 classroom senior school and phase 2 being the construction of a 20 classroom junior school and 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs. Substantial Completion of Phase 1 of the project was achieved in January 2023 for the senior school. Following this, the contractor on site informed the Department of Education it was not in a position to complete the remainder of the contract on Phase 2 (construction of the junior school). The Department had no option but to tender for a new contractor. The Invitation to Tender issued in 30th July 2023. Tender returns were received and evaluated, and a contractor identified. Currently, a Letter of Intent has issued to a contractor. As per procurement rules, there is a 14 day standstill period, following which, should the contractor accept, a Letter of Acceptance can issue. Only when the Letter of Acceptance has issued is there a contract in place to enable construction to commence and all the contract terms and conditions apply.