Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools, by name and locality, in the Dublin mid-west, that have been approved for delivery and construction; the stage of the planning process each is currently at, including the school (details supplied), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22547/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Devine Mercy JNS & SNS

This joint school building project will deliver a new extension and refurbishment of some existing accommodation to provide a 24 classroom primary school with classrooms for children with special educational needs, at both schools.

The schedule of accommodation was recently increased to include SEN accommodation and the design options submitted by the Design Team are being evaluated by my Department.

A meeting of all stakeholders is anticipated to be held in the near future, to discuss and agree a preferred option which can be further developed and prepared to be submitted for planning permission.

St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS

The joint school building project will deliver two new 24 classroom primary schools with accommodation for children with special educational needs, at the current site in Lucan.

The project is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning Stage 1 – Initial Sketch Scheme. A preferred design option has been agreed by all Stakeholders and my Department have requested the Design Team to further assess the proposed construction programme and methodology.

On receipt of their report, my Department will review and advise both schools and their design team regarding project progression.

Lucan Community College

The large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award.

Department officials are working with the Design Team and the school authority to resolve the remaining issues in response to the Tender Report.

The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and my department officials will be in contact with the school authority on completion of the review

Griffeen Community College

The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special education needs on a site at Kishogue Cross, Griffeen Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin.

The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issued to the successful contractor on 18/11/2024 which allowed the contractor to commence on site. It is anticipated that the construction period will have a duration of some 16 months.

My department will continue to keep the school updated as the project progresses.

Scoil Chrónáin

The school building project will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the permanent site at Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.

The tender reports for the project referred to by the deputy were received on the 2/5/2025, and are currently being evaluated by the Project Manager; a tender assessment report will be prepared for the Department’s consideration. Projects are subject to relevant due diligence at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters. My department will continue to keep the school updated as the project progresses.

Rathcoole ETNS

The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will provide a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation including 4 classrooms for children with special education needs, on the permanent site for the school.

The planning application was submitted to the local authority in December 2023. A Request for Further Information (RFI) was received from the local authority in February 2024 and this was responded to in November 2024. An initial grant of planning was received from the local authority on 13th December 2024; however, this is now the subject of third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála. It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

My department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to interim accommodation pending delivery of the permanent school and to provide any updates in relation to progress on the school building project.