John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the delays experienced with the implementation of an ASD unit in a school (details supplied); the reasons for this delay; to provide a timeframe for when it will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37286/24]

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 2 Class SEN base unit. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

A school building project has four points within the design and delivery process where approval from the Department to move to the succeeding stage is mandatory.

These stages are:1. At stage 2(a) - developed design stage - before applying for planning permission; 2. Immediately where a Notice of Intention to Grant Planning Permission/Fire Cert/Disability Access Cert issues from the Local Authority with onerous conditions as these may be the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála; 3. Before seeking tenders for the project; 4. Before accepting a tender/placing a contract and commencing construction.

I can confirm to the Deputy that a project update was requested by my Department in April 2024 for the school in question. Upon receipt of this update, it was noted that this project progressed to Tender Stage without obtaining the necessary permissions to advance through the first two stages outlined above. Department officials have contacted the school Patron regarding this matter and have received a response.

The school were requested to submit a Stage 2b Report with the granting of planning permission, associated drawings, and a cost report in May 2024. Following a review of this report, the extension could not be progressed based on the design submitted.

The project has been devolved back to the school authority. The school are now required to submit a revised design option to include a link corridor to the SEN base and an updated cost report.

Following its submission and review, the Department will advise the school of the next steps to advance this significant project.