Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) can expect to receive approval for its building programme to progress to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30554/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is working to ensure that the permanent accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be addressed. In this regard, my Department is currently in discussions over a potential long-term option for the school. When this has been fully agreed, my Department will be in further contact with the patron of the school.

The school in question is currently in a temporary location at The Maudlins, Trim, Co.Meath under a lease arrangement between the patron of the school and a third party.

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the process of planning, construction and delivery of major construction projects for schools, including the approximate typical timeframes for each stage of the process [30555/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At present, there are five stages of architectural planning involved in the delivery of large scale school building projects. The stages reflect the requirements of the Capital Works Management Framework developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Department’s Design Team Procedures set out the requirements to be followed at each stage in the process and the Department employs a rigorous and structured approach to permitting a project to move from one stage to the next. This includes robust interrogation of project scope, design and cost by Department delivery teams at each stage.

While many variables can influence the timescale of a project, the following are indicative timeframes for each of the core project stages: The period of time it takes to progress through each of the stages varies from project to project depending on its size and complexity and can often take longer than that indicated. For example, during the planning application, Requests for Further Information (RFI) from Local Authority and possible third party appeals to An Bord Pleanala can considerably lengthen the process.

• Stage 1 – Preliminary Design (5-6 months) The Preliminary Design stage includes reviewing all information provided as part of the Project Brief. It also involves establishing and analysing all site factors and constraints which may impact on the project’s viability.
• Stage 2a - Developed Design (9-12 months) includes development of the design and accurately cost planning the option agreed with the Client. This stage brings the project to the point of lodging for statutory approvals.
• Stage 2b - Detailed Design (approx. 12 months, depending on planning complexity) includes obtaining all statutory approvals, preparing a set of fully detailed Tender documents, and preparing an accurate pre-tender cost plan. During the planning application, Requests for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority and possible third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála can considerably lengthen the process.
• Stage 3 - Tender Action, Evaluation and Award (approx. 12 months). On the completion of the examination of tenders, written authorisation of the Department must be obtained before issuing Letter of Intent and Letter of Acceptance. Once all the contract pre-conditions in the letter of intent have been met and the Department has given written authorisation to proceed to Contract, a letter of Acceptance can be issued. This forms the contract and is the date for the calculation of the Contract period.
• Stage 4 – Construction (12 to 36 months) All members of the Design Team are collectively responsible for the effective management of the project in order to achieve its completion on time and within budget.
• Stage 5 - Handover of Works and Final Account (12 months minimum). The Design team individually and collectively are required to effectively manage the Project, and with the co-operation of the Contractor achieve a satisfactory standard of Construction, and achieve Substantial Completion of all elements of the Projects by the Contract Section/Phase handover dates and overall Contract Completion.