Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school in Clare (details supplied) can expect to receive approval to progress to construction works on a new building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41301/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was recently granted approval for the provision of two mainstream classrooms, one special needs tuition room, one office, and one staff room under my department's Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of my department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs.

Detailed design documentation has been submitted and has been reviewed by Department officials'. A response has issued to the project manager concerned for additional information when this is received the project be given further consideration for progression to the next stage.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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303. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on building accommodation works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41309/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process. Stage 2(b) involves detailed design, securing all Statutory Approvals and the preparation of tender documentation. Planning Permission was secured in March 2022.

All Major Projects are subject to relevant due diligence by my Department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.

Department officials have been engaging with the school and its design team in relation to next steps on this project.

This includes working with the design team and school authorities to ensure increased SEN classroom provision, within the parameters of the current planning permission.

In addition, due to the passage of time, the prequalification of contractors process will be rerun. Department officials are working with the design team regarding this.

Finally, an updated pre-tender cost check has been requested from the design team.

The next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3, tender stage. Department officials will keep the school authorities updated on progress and next steps.