Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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310.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will request her officials to move a school rebuilding project (details supplied) to stage 2B; or if not will she ask her officials to meet the school authorities to agree a timeline for the project to advance. [25153/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The current position in respect of the joint major building project referred to by the Deputy is as follows;

The Design Team submitted their Stage 2(a) Submission report to my Department in January 2024 for review, in advance of the Stakeholders meeting, which was scheduled for Wednesday 14^th February 2024.

Upon review, some key concerns were identified by Department officials, and the school authorities and Design Team were advised in advance that the Stakeholders meeting would instead be a further interim Stage 2(a) workshop to discuss and assist the Design Team in progressing their Stage 2(a) submission in a positive manner.

The Design Team were asked to complete a review and audit of the floor area schedules, and to also refine some design elements in order to meet the approved schedule of accommodation.

A further interim workshop was held on 22^ndMarch 2024, between my Department and the Design Team Architect, where further refinements and adjustment to floor area were discussed.

The Design Team Architect and my Department have since continued to liaise in order to progress a revised Stage 2(a) submission in a positive manner.

On 27^thMay 2024 the Design Team Architect submitted revised drawings and comments and advised they are continuing to update the multi discipline response with the wider Design Team with an updated submission due in 2-3 weeks for Department review.

Upon receipt and review of a revised Stage 2(a) submission, the Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting date will be confirmed.

My Department are committed to providing guidance and assistance to the Design Team and the 3 schools in progressing the project through architectural planning, to a point where it can apply for all statutory approvals, including planning permission.