Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [5464/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is a large scale building project comprising of a 25 class primary school with 8 classrooms for children with special educational needs. Works will be carried out on a phased basis.

The project is at Architectural planning Stage 4 - Construction. Works are due to complete in Q2 2027.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [5465/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project brief at the school referred to by the deputy was a new three storey Classroom Block extension, together with major renovations to existing 1939 Building, 2000 Building and PE Hall at existing Waterpark College.

The large scale capital project is at Architectural planning Stage 4 - Construction. Works are due to complete in Q1 2025.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [5466/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project brief for the school referred to by the deputy is a new build 12 classroom school building at St Brigid's and a 4 classroom extension and refurbishment at the St Anthony’s building.

The large scale capital project is at Architectural Planning Stage 4 - Construction. Works commenced on site in quarter 3 2024, with an expected contract duration of 26 months.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [5467/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project will deliver a new purpose-built, 14 classroom school for pupils with special educational needs.

The project commenced on site in quarter 4 of 2023 and pending no issues or delays, it is estimated to be completed before the end of 2025.

The NDFA are engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects refurbishment works a school (details supplied) to move to the construction phase of works. [5468/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 3, Tender Action & Award.

The brief for this project is to provide a new 12 classroom school plus accommodation for pupils with special educational needs and the demolition of the existing buildings at the current school site.

The Design Team had submitted the tender report to my Department in late 2024, and upon initial review, my Department have requested the Design Team to clarify certain elements of the tender with the contractor identified. This process is ongoing.

The large-scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and Department Officials will be in contact with the school authority upon receipt and review of the clarifications from the Design Team.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects refurbishment works a school (details supplied) to move to the construction phase of works. [5469/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 3, Tender Action & Award.

The brief for this project is the development of a new 17 classroom school with accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, and the demolition of the existing buildings at the current school site.

The Design Team submitted their tender report to my Department in late 2024, and upon initial review, my Department requested the Design Team to clarify certain elements of the tender with the contractor identified. This process is ongoing.

The large-scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and Department Officials will be in contact with the School Authority upon receipt and review of the clarifications from the Design Team.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the delivery of a new school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5487/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 school building project for the school 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 Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Integrated Project Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.

The ADAPT 4 Programme will be led by Integrated Project Teams (IPT’s), consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and various other consultants to deliver the projects. AECOM as the Programme Manager are overseeing the procurement and appointment of the IPT’s. It is anticipated that the IPT's for the tranche of projects including the project referred to by the Deputy will be appointed later this year.

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 schools and patron body informed of the progression of this project.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in granting the extension works for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5489/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide the removal of existing prefabricated buildings and replacement with a two-storey extension consisting of 3 mainstream classrooms, 7 SET resource rooms and 3 classroom base SEN unit and all associated facilities and site services. The project has been devolved to Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB) for delivery.

The Stage 2b Report is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.

A requirement for temporary accommodation during the construction period has been identified by the delivery body as part of the Stage 2b report and my department is actively engaging with Kerry ETB to explore the most suitable solution to meet this need. Once identified officials at my department will continue to engage with Kerry ETB on how best to progress this important project.