Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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495. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action in hand to address the ongoing safety concerns of parents regarding their children’s safety travelling to a school (details supplied), including the safety and limitations of the structure they are schooled in; the proposed timeline for providing new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45218/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers has been approved a project to enter the Department's pipeline of major capital projects. The project has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programme.

The project is currently at Stage 1 of the architectural design process. The process of appointing the design team was completed in Q1 2024. The design team will now take the project through the various stages of design and architectural planning. My Department understands from the NDFA that the report is nearing completion and will be submitted to Department officials soon for review.

While it is not possible to provide a timeline for the project completion at this early stage, the NDFA have and will continue to engage directly with school authorities to keep them informed of progress.

As I previously advised the Deputy, it is open to the school authority to make an application to my Department under the Emergency Works Grant scheme to address more immediate health and safety risks. The scheme provides funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation. No application has been received to date.