Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9012/25]

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.

The major building project referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.

The project currently has planning permission and is being brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of the Department’s project manager.

The process of appointing the Design Team from the Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is currently close to completion of Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process. Stage 2(b) involves detailed design and the preparation of tender documentation.

The next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3 tender stage. The period of time it takes to progress through each of the stages varies from project to project depending on its size and complexity and can often take longer than that indicated.

An enabling works programme is required for the project and is expected to go tender in the coming weeks and will be undertaken prior to the project proceeding to tender.

My department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school and will provide further updates as the project progresses.