Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a meeting will be arranged (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28893/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide a new four class primary school with one class special education needs base. It also involves the renovation and extension of an existing former school building. This would provide a general-purpose room, a library and resource area, a principal’s office, a general office and other ancillary accommodation.

The project has been devolved for delivery to Mayo and Sligo Education and Training Board who have appointed a design team to progress the project through the necessary architectural stages of design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction.

As the Deputy may be aware, the project to develop the Minister-owned former Scoil Phádraig building on Altamount Street for the school referenced was approved to Stage 2a of the architectural design process following a recent stage meeting. Once the Stage 2a submission is received, reviewed and approved by the Department, the next step for the Design Team will be to ascertain and obtain the required statutory planning approvals. When these are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction in due course. While this school project progresses through its various stages, the Department has identified this building as a solution for urgent temporary accommodation needs for another school in Westport. The interim use of the building on Altamount St. for the other school aligns with the continued safe operation of schools which is of paramount importance to the Department.

Department officials have already met with both school authorities and have continued to engage proactively in order to ensure that both projects and design teams are as streamlined as possible. It is not possible to provide a reliable timeline for completion of the project at this early stage of the project.