Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when they can proceed to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7060/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide four mainstream classrooms, eight SET rooms and a four classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority.

As a result of a Stage 2a meeting in July 2024 the Design Team had been requested to submit a revised stage 2a report. On 20/01/25 I can confirm that Stage 2a developed designs were received by my department.

However, it is noteworthy to mention that received drawings are not a comprehensive Stage 2a report and constitute Architectural drawings only. The school authority made a request to my Department to provide a preliminary review of the above before other design team disciplines provide their input for a combined Stage 2a submission. Department’s Professional and Technical team is currently reviewing the drawings and is expected to make their recommendations shortly. A full Stage 2a report submission will then be required based on their recommendations.

The next step for the Design Team will be to obtain the statutory planning approvals and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course. The timeframe for the construction of the project will not be known until the design stages have been completed and planning permission has been secured.

My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this important project.