Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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987. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 607 of 9 September 2024, the status of an application to build an extension to a school (details supplied) for the provision of two permanent ASD class units and classroom; the next steps to be completed in this project; the expected timeframe for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20517/25]

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 to provide one mainstream classroom and a two classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. The project was devolved to the school authority who is assisted by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) in the delivery of this project.

Due to unforeseen issues identified by the local authority and the excessive cost associated, the CMETB and the Department are currently in the process of reviewing the project scope to find a solution to progress this project.

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.

At this early stage, it is not possible to predict when a significant school building project of this nature will go to construction, nor when it will be completed, as progress depends upon many contingent factors that can arise.

My Department will continue to engage with the school authority and CMETB to provide practical advice and assistance on this much needed project.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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988. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 5 November 2024, the current status regarding the proposed permanent extension at a school (details supplied); the expected timeframe for completion of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20518/25]

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 the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. To provide 4 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base, 2 Special Education Tuition rooms, 1 music room, 1 science laboratory and preparation area, 2 technology rooms and 1 preparation area, a general purpose hall and a conversion to provide science laboratory, art room and textiles room.

The project remains at Stage 2b (approval to planning) of the architectural design process. More recently Cavan and Monaghan ETB (CMETB) communicated a schedule of additional information requested by the Local Authority as part of planning process which the Design Team are preparing a response to.

I can confirm a Fire Safety and Disability Access Certificate has been granted for this project and submitted to my Department, along with a range of requests for surveys which have been granted and progressed.

My Department awaits a Stage 2b post planning (developed design) report from CMETB for review. Once the Stage 2b submission is submitted and reviewed by my Department, the next step for this project is to move to tender and construction stage will follow.