Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Education and Skills
Schools Building Projects
Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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641. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a full update on the proposed new school building as part of the amalgamation of schools (details supplied); when a planning application will be lodged; and the approximate timeline for the completion of the overall project. [1791/25]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.7 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,150 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.3bn.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure.? The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
The permanent school building project referred to by the Deputy will provide a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
It is intended that the project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme which uses a professional external Programme Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Integrated Project Team (IPT) to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.
The Programme Manager for the ADAPT 4 programme was appointed in Q3 2024 and has been progressing the tender documentation for the procurement of the multi-disciplinary design team consultants. A two stage procurement process for the IPT appointment is ongoing with Stage 1 complete and Stage 2 underway.
It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department will keep the school and patron body informed of the progression of the project.
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