Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the building projects at a school (details supplied); and to provide a projected date for completion of the new buildings. [5559/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The joint major building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, where the Design Team secure all statutory approvals and prepare the suite of tender documents.

Following an increase in the overall schedule of accommodation to be provided which now includes additional classrooms for children with special educational needs at both schools, my Department met with representatives from the schools and their Design Team to discuss proposed changes to the current agreed design proposals.

The Design Team submitted a revised design option for my Departments’ review, and an architectural design workshop was held in September 2023 to discuss the proposed design.

The Design Team have submitted further revisions to their design option which is under ongoing review.

To assist with their review, Department officials visited the schools during Autumn 2024, to review the site and current building conditions.

A meeting of all Stakeholders is to be organised in the near future to discuss the possible revised design options and Department officials will shortly be in contact with both schools and their Design Team in this regard.

Once agreement is reached on the proposed design option by all Stakeholders, the Design Team will proceed to prepare a revised Stage 2(b) Submission to include a new Planning Permission application, and other statutory applications, along with a revised suite of Tender documents. On receipt and review of the revised Stage 2(b) Submission, my Department will be in further contact with the School Authorities in relation to project progression.