John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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945. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the extension to a school building (details supplied); when this building work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19974/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.

The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning design process with a full grant of planning permission received for the school. The NDFA’s Design Team is presently working to conclude the pre-tender stage in conjunction with the Department. When Stage 2b has been finalised and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course.

While at this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for the completion of the project. The NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.

The Department is committed to ensuring appropriate secondary school accommodation is available for all pupils in St Kevin's Community College and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines.

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.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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946. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); to confirm when the project will move to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19975/25]

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 an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, where the Design Team secure all statutory applications and prepare the tender documents.

The Board of Management and their Design Team lodged the application for planning permission in September 2023, and received a request for further information (RFI) in October 2023 from the Local Authority (LA).

The Design Team issued their response to that RFI in February 2024, and the LA issued the initial grant of planning permission in March 2024.

However, there was a third party objection to planning permission, and the decision was referred to An Bord Pleanála.

The Design Team secured the grant of planning permission in October 2024, and are currently working on completion of their report, for submission to my Department in Q3 of this year.

On receipt, review and approval of the Stage Submission, Department officials will be in a position to advise the school authorities and their Design Team on progression of the major project to Tender Stage.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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947. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the proposed extension for a school (details supplied); to confirm when the project will move to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19976/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a programme of school building projects (Project Boyne).

The project received full grant of planning permission and is now at Stage 3 of the architectural planning design process - Tender stage. Tender evaluation meetings are currently ongoing as per the approved evaluation procedure. When this stage is concluded, the project will progress to construction in due course.

It is not possible at this time to give a date for completion of the project. However, the NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authority in regard to progressing this important project.

The Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in Colaiste Chraobh Abhann and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines.

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.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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948. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on an extension for a school (details supplied); the estimated timeframe for this project from construction to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19977/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Major Project for the school referred to by the Deputy consists of the demolition of the existing Senior school and the Construction of a new 12 Mainstream Classroom Primary school with 2 classrooms for children with Special Educational Needs on the Senior school's existing site. There are 6 Classrooms currently in the Junior school which are to be retained

The major building project for Newtownmountkennedy Primary School is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.

All Statutory Approvals have been secured, and the Stage 2(b) Submission was received and reviewed by my Department. Following the review, comments have issued from the Department to the Design Team for their consideration and action.

The Design Team are required to confirm to the Department in writing that they have addressed the comments issued and are fully satisfied that their tender documents are in order, and meet all Department Guidance Documents, Building Regulation and procurement requirements.

A Site boundary issue referred to in stage 2b is currently with the Design Team and Board of Management for resolution. The Department are continuing to offer assistance with the resolution of this issue.

Upon receipt of those confirmations, the next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3, tender stage. Projects are subject to relevant due diligence by the Department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.

The Department will continue to keep the school updated on the progress and next steps.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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949. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the status of a school building project for a school (details supplied); to confirm at what stage the project is currently at; an estimated timeframe from construction to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19978/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The major project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Departments ADAPT Programme.

ADAPT is an acronym for "Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering".

The ADAPT programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe during the stages of architectural planning.

The brief for Woodstock Educate Together National School is the development of a new 8 Classroom Primary School and a 2 Class SEN for pupils with special educational needs and all associated site works.

The project is currently at Stage 1 - Preliminary Design (assessment of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme).

As part of the Stage 1 process the Design Team submit a Stage 1 Report to my Department. A preferred design option, including the scope and extent of works to be carried out form part of this report.

The Stage 1 Report was received in my Department on 18th April 2025.

Upon completion of my Departments due diligence review, a Stage 1 stakeholders meeting will be arranged.

It is not possible to provide timings for construction and delivery at this early stage of the process.

The Project Manager and Design Team will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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950. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the building project for a school (details supplied); at what stage the project is at; when it is likely that the project will move forward to design and construction; an estimated timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19979/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post primary school and accommodation including 6 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 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 school and patron body informed of the progression of this project.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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951. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the construction of a new primary school in the Shanganagh/Woodbrook area in County Dublin is still planned; and will the Minister provide a timeline for when this school will be completed. [19980/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school with accommodation and 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 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.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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952. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a school building project (details supplied); to confirm when the project will move to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19981/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).

In Quarter 2 2023, the Department approved a submission from the school authority to increase the original brief in the context of a significant increase in projected new enrolments in the area. This allowed for a project to cater for a 1,000 pupil school plus 6 special education needs classes.

A planning application was submitted to Wicklow County Council in Q4 2023 and the full grant of planning permission was received in Q2 2024.

I can confirm that the design team are presently progressing the detail design drawings in preparation for the stage 2b submission. When the Stage 2b report has been received, reviewed, and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course.

While at this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for the completion of the project. KWETB will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.

The Department is committed to ensuring appropriate secondary school accommodation is available for all children in the Blessington area and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines.

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.